Review by Jonathan Godfrey for Mr. Will Wong
The Odd Couple-Comedy is a cinematic staple. As the story goes, an Odd Couple is created and coerced into completing a mutually beneficial task. Along the way, the Two must endure the ridiculous to receive their redemption. Memorable examples in recent years include: The Heat, Identity Thief and the delightfully-crud Weâre The Millers.
Enter Hot Pursuit, which centers on Cooper (played by Reese Witherspoon), a goofy Texan Cop assigned to the case of a lifetime. Cooper is entrusted with aiding the DEA in transporting two key Witnesses. The Witnesses being the Governmentâs means to toppling a murderous Drug Lord. Before she can even get them in the car, one Witness is compromised and Cooper is left protecting the other.
Treachery and laughter unfold as Cooper and her Witness, Daniella Riva (played by SofĂa Vergara), are forced to brush aside a horny Farmer and hijack an Seniors’ tour bus⌠amongst other things. Witherspoon is her typically charming self with a touch of Southern Comfort and a heap of outright awkward. Whereas Vergaraâs Character is a Senorita of a different sort. Sheâs into high fashion and particularly lippy. And with her humorous signature Accent, Vergara offers up several lines to chuckle about.
Perhaps the funniest bits often are reserved for Witherspoon. And despite her ridiculous Character, we find ourselves warming-up to her with ease. Vergara muses and moans with bravado, and all in all, it has enough laughs for a worthy go to the theatres.
Anne Fletcher helms the Film, whom most will know her for being the first to direct the Step Up Series. She also directed Hits 27 Dresses and The Proposal,  no stranger to Comedy or to leading her Leading Ladies. Itâs a Big Ccreen spectacle written by TV Writers, so the Comedy is a bit more PG-13 than hoped. Itâs accessible, yet still risquĂŠ enough.
Warner Bros. Pictures Canada release HOT PURSUIT, now in cinemas across Canada.
For advertising opportunites please contact mrwill@mrwillwong.com