What Happens In Vegas

Today is NFL Championship day.  The AFC and NFC Championship games will be played.  Since I've already made my picks, I'll cover something else, The Hangover.  I know it's been out on video for about a month now but I just saw it.  This little gem of a film came out of nowhere in 2009 and went on to become the top grossing R rated comedy of all time.  In fact it was the 41st highest grossing film of all time.  Not bad for a film starring actors who people may have been familiar with but certain weren't recognizable names.  Bradley Cooper is approaching that certainly few had heard of Zach Galifianakis and few can actually pronounce his last name correctly.  Ed Helms is recognizable to most from The Office and others from his stint on teh Daily Show.  Justin Bartha is best known as Nick Cage's sidekick in the National Treasure films.

What makes The Hangover great is it engages the viewer in a way that I love.  Due to circumstances that reveal themselves in the film, the viewer makes discoveries about events that have taken place just as the characters do.  I am a hater of spoilers.  I hate to even find out the plot of a film because I love the feeling of discovery that I experience when watching a film fresh.  In a film like this, it was doubly delicious.

The Hangover is directed by Todd Phillips who directed Old School.  He also directed Road Trip and Frat House.  He knows about making party films.  I know I said I hate spoilers but I will reveal this, anyone who attended college and at one time or another woke up and forgot what transpired the previous night has a kinship with this film.  I've already said too much. 

This film is 100 minutes of comedy.  Not split your gut comedy but subtle, developmental comedy.  You have to pay attention and think about what is going on.  It's not a film that hits you over the head with a two by four to make sure you get the joke.  I loved it and look forward to seeing it again.

I give The Hangover four Billys.