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A clever screenplay and the surprising comic chemistry between the stars make Get Hard worth watching, and don't be turned off by a title that sounds like bad porn.
Will Ferrell plays James King, a millionaire who gets sentenced to 10 years in jail for embezzlement and is given 30 days to get his affairs in order. Darnell Lewis (Kevin Hart) runs a car wash business in the parking level of King's company and King has always treated him like an indentured servant. King is terrified of going to prison and offers Darnell $30,000 to prepare King for survival in prison, predicated on King believing that Lewis is black and, therefore, must have done time in prison. Darnell, who has never been in prison, plays on the stereotype and seeks his own help in helping James, which includes turning James' mansion into a simulated prison, turning his swimming pool into "the yard."
Screenwriters Jay Martel and Ian Roberts have constructed a very funny story that contains material that could be deemed racially offensive, but is written and delivered with just the right amount of tongue in cheek that all we get is laughs, comfortable and appropriate laughs. Director Etan Cohen displays great trust in the comic skill of his stars and keeps the reins on them somewhat loose while mounting some viable action sequences and memorable set pieces that prove Cohen knows how to deliver an action comedy.
Ferrell is terrific as King, garnering major laughs and working effectively with Kevin Hart as Darnell, a standup comic who proves he has the chops to bring his talent to the movie screen with a performance that is hysterically funny but never over the top. There is also solid support from Craig T. Nelson as Ferrell's boss and future father-in-law and Allison Brie as James' bitchy and self-absorbed fiancee. Though a little on the predictable side, the film delivers solid laughs and sustains interest through the closing credits.
A clever screenplay and the surprising comic chemistry between the stars make Get Hard worth watching, and don't be turned off by a title that sounds like bad porn.
Will Ferrell plays James King, a millionaire who gets sentenced to 10 years in jail for embezzlement and is given 30 days to get his affairs in order. Darnell Lewis (Kevin Hart) runs a car wash business in the parking level of King's company and King has always treated him like an indentured servant. King is terrified of going to prison and offers Darnell $30,000 to prepare King for survival in prison, predicated on King believing that Lewis is black and, therefore, must have done time in prison. Darnell, who has never been in prison, plays on the stereotype and seeks his own help in helping James, which includes turning James' mansion into a simulated prison, turning his swimming pool into "the yard."
Screenwriters Jay Martel and Ian Roberts have constructed a very funny story that contains material that could be deemed racially offensive, but is written and delivered with just the right amount of tongue in cheek that all we get is laughs, comfortable and appropriate laughs. Director Etan Cohen displays great trust in the comic skill of his stars and keeps the reins on them somewhat loose while mounting some viable action sequences and memorable set pieces that prove Cohen knows how to deliver an action comedy.
Ferrell is terrific as King, garnering major laughs and working effectively with Kevin Hart as Darnell, a standup comic who proves he has the chops to bring his talent to the movie screen with a performance that is hysterically funny but never over the top. There is also solid support from Craig T. Nelson as Ferrell's boss and future father-in-law and Allison Brie as James' bitchy and self-absorbed fiancee. Though a little on the predictable side, the film delivers solid laughs and sustains interest through the closing credits.