Here’s something I never thought I’d say: An actor from “Punk’d” has made one of the most entertaining movies of the summer. And here’s something else — the film is uproariously funny without relying on the kind of juvenile pranks you might expect.
We’ve been underestimating Dax Shepard. But he can’t really blame us. The girlfriend of his character in the movie — played by his real-life fiancee — does, too. “I’m not going to teach conflict resolution and then marry Dog the Bounty Hunter,” she tells him once, with exasperation. Only those involved know just how autobiographical the characters and relationships of “Hit & Run” are. But there seems something very real about this story of a smart, classy young woman struggling with her love for a guy who likes to build loud cars– minus the stuff about being on the run from a criminal gang, that is.
Annie (Kristen Bell) has just been given the opportunity she’s been waiting for: an interview for a position at UCLA. “You’re too smart and motivated to work here,” her mentor of sorts (a hilariously on-the-edge Kristin Chenoweth) at the small-town college tells her.
| On screen |
| ‘Hit & Run’ |
| 3.5 stars |
| Starring: Dax Shepard, Kristen Bell |
| Directors: David Palmer, Dax Shepard |
| Rated: R for pervasive language including sexual references, graphic nudity, some violence and drug content |
| Running time: 100 minutes |
Unfortunately, Los Angeles is the last place she wants to advance her career. Her boyfriend, Charlie (Shepard), is in the witness protection program because of something he saw there. But he doesn’t want to stand in the way of her. “I’ve been gone four years, and L.A. is a big city,” he says, as he prepares to drive her to the interview.
Her ex-boyfriend is perfectly willing to ruin her plans, though. Gil (Michael Rosenbaum) finds out who Charlie really is — and who is looking for him. What follows is a classic chase flick at 700 horsepower, enlivened by some nontraditional romantic comedy.
What makes “Hit & Run” so much fun to watch is the dialogue — not something you normally say about a film filled with action. But the conversations between these two unlikely lovers are clever and amusing. He’s a down-to-earth man’s man; she’s not unlike the typical liberal academic (if far better looking than most). But their clear joy in each other’s company — there’s no denying the real-life pair have intense chemistry — makes the fights funny, not frustrating to watch.
The minor players have just as much fun. Bradley Cooper, in particular, is deliciously scary as the leader of the gang looking to take revenge on Charlie. He’s a bad guy — but not as bad as many of those he terrorizes, such as the grocery store customer buying his handsome dog some cut-rate kibble.
Most of the members of the cast were friends of Shepard, the writer and co-director. It’s almost as much fun to watch “Hit & Run” as it must have been to make it.
