'The Hangover' really is a special film. It's no holds barred, anything can happen, anything can be said, which really is a breath of fresh air. Todd Phillips who has been responsible for other films such as 'Starsky and Hutch' and 'Old School' seems to have broken free of being the director for hire for the new frat pack and it really is glorious to see. I compare this film a lot to 'After Hours' by Martin Scorsese, and I mean that as a great big compliment as I love 'After Hours' because it's a joy to watch these filmakers at their best, using every trick they have at their disposal and it just working.
Todd Phillips is helped by an extraordinary cast. Bradley Cooper is really coming into his own now, as a leading man who is willing to subvert what that means at every chance he gets. He is never trying to wrestle a scene from another actor, he gives, and gives and gives and is willing to look like a prick. Ed Helms, the everyman of the group allows us into the shenanigans with glee. But Zach Galifianakis really does steal the show. He is non-stop hilarious and never shies away from looking the buffoon.
I can't rate this film highly enough and still can't believe it wasn't nominated as one of the ten best films of the year. It seemed to me that the reason for pushing the nominees out to ten was so films like 'The Hangover' would get nominated and what seems to have happened is that lesser dramatic works are being seen as more 'important'. How else can you explain the reasoning behind a film like 'An Education' being nominated for best film. (Which I liked mind you but certainly wouldn't have put it in a list of the ten best films of the year).
If you are one of the few people that haven't seen 'The Hangover', do so immediately.
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