Nailing a relaxed, daft mix of crime and comedy that, as we’ve learned from the Baywatch reboot, isn’t nearly as easy as it looks.
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It also helps that the script (written by both O’Brien and Cohen and solely directed by the latter) has a silly, graspable simplicity.
Will Ferrell and Amy Poehler play Scott and Kate Johansen, buttoned-up parents facing up to the fact that Alex, their only daughter, is about to head to college.
Alex a level-headed-beyond-her-years student has just been accepted to Bucknell University. The family thought they were in line for a scholarship from the Fox Meadow city council.
Just as they grapple with this new freedom (“Get your passport ready,” mumbles Scott uncertainly) Bob the slimy town council leader, announces that, due to budget cuts, Alex’s scholarship has been overturned.
After being refused loans, they hit on what seems an implausible plan after a trip to Vegas: they’re going to open an underground casino in the house of their recently separated gambling-addict friend, Frank (Jason Mantzoukas).
The house casino expands fast to include pool bars and illegal fist fights, Scott and Kate taking to their thrilling new lives as shady gambling managers.
Obviously, the cast (generously sprinkled with plenty of, “Oh it’s them!” ) is a huge part of this.
Poehler and Ferrell may rarely leave third gear but they’re a great comedy duo, delivering the expected off-the-cuff weirdness as well as clownish moments.