Hall Pass

Which Way You Goin’ Do You Really Want to Go
Hall Pass, R, *1/2, Owen Wilson, Jason Sudeikis, Jenna Fischer, Christina Applegate. Warner Bros film. Director Bobby Farrelly and Peter Farrelly. Length 105 minutes.

“Hall Pass” gives husbands a week off to do as they please, and I do mean they are free to accomplish whatever they so desire.
Rick (Owen Wilson) is married to Maggie (Jenna Fischer) and Fred (Jason Sudeikis) is married to Grace (Christina Applegate). Rick and Fred have wandering eyes. Now who among us has not looked at other women? I have been reprimanded many times for eyeballing beautiful women. It seemed like a good idea at the time. We could take the advice of Billy Graham who once said, and I paraphrase, “It is not the first look that is bad, it is the second look.”
Of course, Rick and Fred think they are getting away with sneaking peeks at other women. They apparently do not realize that women notice more than we men think they do when it comes to sneaking a peak at other females.
Maggie and Grace have had enough of this juvenile action. They decide to give their husbands a “Hall Pass.” The girls leave town together to allow their husbands to do as they please. It is obvious this is a dangerous scenario to pursue.
This movie seems to break new ground in the world of ratings. It has scatology scenes along with over the top crude humor. This movie pushes the envelope for vulgar scenes.
As one of the managers at the theater where I viewed the move said, “We will have to card anyone who is not over 18 years of age.” The movie is R for raunchy. The humor will certainly make the viewer laugh, but remember it crosses the line when it comes to ratings. It will be offensive to many viewers. If the reader decides to see this one, just be prepared to be shocked.
The wives use the technique of the “Hall Pass,” because they believe it will have reverse psychology on their husbands. In other words, they think their husbands will not partake in the temptation of the evil fruit.
Rick and Fred begin their week long journey with some of their friends. It is obvious from day one; they are on very unfamiliar ground. We follow the would-be Casanovas through lots of wild and crazy humor along with rude, crude, juvenile, and sexual innuendos.
It is clear they are on foreign ground. They have nothing in common with the girls they are trying to pick-up.
Let’s not forget about Maggie and Grace. What are they up to? Do they regret giving their husbands the “Hall Pass?” Are they going to take advantage of their on “Hall Pass?” Will the tables turn?
It is predictable with a few surprises along the way. A statement was made by one of Rick and Maggie’s children that made a lot of sense – “Words Hurt.”
As the movie progresses, through the seven days of freedom trying to use their “Hall Pass,” the audience grows weary. The viewer wonders if their decision to go back in time to the days of free love is worth taking a chance on losing real love.
Anyway, the reader gets the general idea of this extreme use of vulgar comedy. To paraphrase The Poppy Family’s song, “Which Way You Goin’ Movie, Do You Really Want to Go.” The reader might decide to stay in the classroom, instead of taking a “Hall Pass” to the dark side. However, if this is the reader’s cup of tea, “Go for it.” Just remember the warning notice has been delivered. Detention may be the next step.