Movies 121 : Due Date

Todd Phillips, the director of the fun Hangover,  is back. This time with a buddy roadtrip. Well, I'm not sure if you would call it a buddy film, exactly. It does slightly resemble Planes, trains and Automobiles. There is Robert Downey, Jr. as the straight man while Zach Galifianakis plays the funny one.

Michelle Monaghan plays the pregnant wife

Storyline: Peter Highman (Robert Downey Jr.) must get to LA in five days to be at the birth of his firstborn. He is about to fly home from Atlanta when his luggage and wallet are stolen, and he is put on the "no-fly" list. Desperate to get home Peter is forced to accept the offer of Ethan Tremblay (Zach Galifianakis) to hitch a ride with him cross-country. Peter is about to go on a terrifying and agonizing journey of his life.

mishaps with Ethan's father's ashes

Granted, I don't feel this movie is quite over the top and hilarious as Phillips previous film The Hangover. But Galifianakis does exactly his bit, as being his quirky pothead self. And he shows the lengths he'll go to, just to have himself tripping. Which is kind of funny, with the inside jokes. Since Downey's character is on the straight and narrow.

There is plenty of unexpected adventure. Breath taking car accidents, a side trip to Mexico and even a jaunt to Grand Canyon that makes you squirm just a little, wondering if one might fall in. Of course, one has to wonder of Galifiankisis sexual orientation in the movie, too. Its kept a mystery. His Ethan Tremblay is would be actor, hoping to make it big on Two and Half Men. Of course, Downey's Peter would wonder how the fellow has made it this far in life. Ethan's not that bright and stay confused on so much common knowledge. Tremblay is a heavy sleeper. Even drives in his sleep. Luckily, after their major accident on the freeway, an old friend of Peter's from Dallas comes to help. Jamie Foxx is Daryl, who's got it good in Dallas, but he can only do so much for Peter since he is on the NO FLY list, thanks to Ethan when he tried to fly out of Atlanta in the first place.

This happens a lot in the film

Seriously, its a movie that puts Downey through the rigors, just to get to the birth of his first born. Perhaps its trips like these that make good buddies in the end. Its quite a quest. Really, Downey is the better actor in the movie, but Galifianakis definitely does what he does best. And that is to make you laugh.

On a side note, I really loved the soundtrack. Tunes from Wolfmother, Band of Horses and Fleet Foxes.



7/10