Observe and Report (2009)

Director:

Jody Hill

Writer (WGA):

Jody Hill (written by)

Release Date:

10 April 2009 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Crime | Drama

Tagline:

Right now, the world needs a hero.

Plot:

Bi-polar mall security guard Ronnie Barnhardt is called into action to stop a flasher from turning shopper's paradise into his personal peep show. But when Barnhardt can't bring the culprit to justice, a surly police detective, is recruited to close the case. |

Plot Keywords:

Mall | Police Detective | Bi Polar | Flasher | Dark Comedy

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Seth Rogen	...	Ronnie Barnhardt
Ray Liotta	...	Detective Harrison
Michael Peña	...	Dennis
Anna Faris	...	Brandi
Dan Bakkedahl	...	Mark
Jesse Plemons	...	Charles
John Yuan	...	John Yuen
Matt Yuan	...	Matt Yuen
Celia Weston	...	Mom
Collette Wolfe	...	Nell
Randy Gambill	...	Pervert
Alston Brown	...	Bruce
Cody Midthunder	...	D-Rock
Deborah Brown	...	Female Reporter (as Debra-Jayne Brown)
Aziz Ansari	...	Saddamn

MPAA:

Rated R for pervasive language, graphic nudity, drug use, sexual content and violence.

Runtime:

86 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

USA:R (certificate #45064) | Australia:MA | Ireland:16 | UK:15 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:18A | Finland:K-15 | Iceland:16 | Argentina:16 | Singapore:R21 | Netherlands:16 | Singapore:M18 (edited version)

Filming Locations:

Bosque Farms, New Mexico, USA

Company:

De Line Pictures

Trivia:

Jody Hill wrote the role of Ronnie with Seth Rogen in mind, after Rogen was sent the script, he became an active driving force in getting the film green lit and produced at Warner Bros.

Goofs:

Continuity: When the pervert is running towards Brandi and Ronnie comes from behind and shoots him, Ronnie's hand goes down to his side after the gunshot. In the next frame, you see the gun raised back up again.

Quotes:

Ronnie Barnhardt: You didn't bring enough pigs to stop me.

Movie Connections:

Spoofs The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

Soundtrack:

Sittin' Back Easy

The new, darker Seth

Most actors, if they want to have a lengthy career, have to prove their versatility (Johnny Depp, for example). 'Observe and Report' marks a big step for Seth Rogen; as opposed to his good-natured, man-child teddy bear image from 'Knocked Up' and 'Zack and Miri Make an Porno', O&R sees Seth playing a bi-polar mall cop determined to save his workplace from a serial streaker. While this film has the same basic idea as 'Paul Blart: Mall Cop', 'Observe and Report' treads much darker territory. Rogen is excellent as Ronnie Barnhardt, who is rude to most people, yet is still kind of likable and ia infatuated with Brandi (Anna Faris) the blonde makeup consultant, even having sex with her when she's virtually unconscious.

The thing that sticks out in this movie is the violence, which is brutal at times. Like Robert De Niro in 'Taxi Driver' (which this film has been compared to) Rogen turns into a self-made vigilante with no qualms about using force to get what he wants. Towards the end, as he trains himself for his job, Rogen provides a 'Dark Knight'-style voice-over, perhaps foreshadowing his role as the Green Hornet.

The best thing about this movie is the ending. While some comedies can falter under an overly-sentimental finish, 'Observe and Report' manages to keep its nihlistic tone while wrapping up the loose ends to everyone's satisfaction.