Sheep Movie Review: Identity Thief (2013)

Identity Thief
1hr 51min‎‎ - Rated R‎‎ - Comedy‎
Director: Seth Gordon

Cast: Melissa McCarthy, Jason Bateman, John Cho, Jon Favreau, Amanda Peet, Eric Streetstone 
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Mild-mannered businessman Sandy Patterson travels from Denver to Miami to confront the deceptively harmless-looking woman who has been living it up after stealing Sandy's identity.

Unlimited funds have allowed Diana to live it up on the outskirts of Miami, where the queen of retail buys whatever strikes her fancy. There's only one glitch: The ID she's using to finance these sprees reads "Sandy Bigelow Patterson" and it belongs to an accounts rep who lives halfway across the U.S. With only one week to hunt down the con artist before his world implodes, the real Sandy Bigelow Patterson heads south to confront the woman with an all-access pass to his life. And as he attempts to bribe, coax and wrangle her the 2,000 miles to Denver, one easy target will discover just how tough it is to get your name back. 

The director of Horrible Bosses brings you a light hearted comedy featuring the adorable Jason Bateman, the hilarious Melissa McCarthy, also guest stars Modern Family’s funny man Eric Streetstone. Our story takes place over the course of a week and what a week it is! Sure it’s a bit outlandish and over the top but Bateman and McCarthy makes a fun comedy team and it was an enjoyable ride to be shared with them. Bateman is great as the man whose identity has been stolen and whose life is quickly falling apart as a result of the theft. McCarthy is perfect as the outlandish, fast talking and clever thief who takes Bateman for the ride of his life. 

I enjoy both Bateman and McCarthy, so to have them combined as a comedy duo in a movie was a treat and I thought the interactions between them and their banter were enjoyable. 

During the course of this road trip Bateman and McCarthy’s characters take from Florida to Denver we discover that Mr. Patterson (Bateman) isn’t the only person after Diana (McCarthy) and from the moment Bateman arrives in Florida the shenanigans and hijinks take off and don’t stop until the credits. Also over the course of this road trip a friendship starts brewing…can one whose life has crashed around him because of shifty, selfish actions of another really become friends? I don’t know if in normal life I’d be so quick to befriend someone who’s stolen so much from me, but hey…it’s Hollywood- I’ll gladly pretend we live in that fun imaginary world for 1hour and 51minutes!

This movie doesn’t take itself too seriously and neither should you, just pop some popcorn and let McCarthy and Co. do their thing.

I give 3.5 'Identity stolen' sheep

Guest Reviewer: Jenni Darling

Horrible Bosses, delightfully nasty!

Horrible Bosses directed by Seth Gordon stars Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, Jason Sudeikis, Kevin Spacey, Jennifer Aniston, Donald Sutherland, Jamie Fox and Colin Farrell. It's a ridiculous comedy that walks the thin line of over the top, but somehow it all works out. I haven't laughed this hard during a film all year, best that's come out in 2011!

Plot:

For Nick (Jason Bateman), Kurt (Jason Sudeikis) and Dale (Charlie Day), the only thing that would make the daily grind more tolerable would be to grind their intolerable bosses (Kevin Spacey, Colin Farrell, Jennifer Aniston) into dust. Quitting is not an option, so, with the benefit of a few-too-many drinks and some dubious advice from a hustling ex-con (Jamie Foxx), the three friends devise a convoluted and seemingly foolproof plan to rid themselves of their respective employers... permanently. There'

One of the most delightful things about this film is that all the actors really put effort into giving outstanding performances. No part big or small was left out. The funny comes in waves and when it hits the sweet spot you will bust up laughing. At least two major parts during the film (breaking into Colin's characters house and Charlie's character rocking out in his car. PS I have that cd! lol) had me almost to tears. I was a fan of Bateman before the film and after watching a performance like this it only strengthens my love of this talented actor. While the script may not have been as meaningful as Bridesmaids, it still held the audience's attention with the comedy-driven storyline.

The bosses we love to hate in the story all brought the ugly, especially Spacey. His portrayal of the boss that's just out to make everyone's life hell was so good I actually started to hate the guy. Spacey's performance was well acted and wickedly evil, my hats off to another brilliant actor. Aniston may have a "good girl" image on the silver screen but you won't be thinking that after catching this film. She taps her inner slut (not saying anything bad here people) amazingly well, adding much needed depth to her typical type cast roles. Hunky Farrell rounds out the trio as the coke (not the drink) addicted slimy madman that you just want to knock out. A FAR cry from his previous roles as well, he may not be sexy in this but how could you not love the Irish hunk. ;)

Overall the movie is a barrel of laughs that you don't want to miss it. It's got just enough raunch mixed in with solid comedy to somehow hold it all together. Stay in your seats for the outtakes at the end, you won't want to miss those. :)

Getting 4 That's Not My Name Sheep

KD