Dull and duller

For almost a decade between 1994 and 2003, Peter and Bobby Farrelly were the uncrowned kings of Hollywood comedy. Rashid Irani reports.

For almost a decade between 1994 and 2003, Peter and Bobby Farrelly were the uncrowned kings of Hollywood comedy.

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Sorry to say, but the notoriously naughty brothers (Dumb and Dumber, There’s Something About Mary) have lost their comic edge and Hall Pass will do nothing to restore their reputation. There’s little to laugh at largely due to the aimless direction and sloppy writing.

A pair of suburban husbands (Wilson-Sudeikis) is issued a “hall pass” by their long-suffering spouses (Jenna Fisher-Christian Applegate). Given a no-questions-asked week off from marriage, the middle-aged pals don’t know what to do with their new freedom except prowl around the city’s hot spots.

Interestingly, their wives too use their temporary return to single life to flirt with a couple of hunky baseball players. This could have been riotous, but the director duo seems content to serve up a bland stew of scatological situations, sentimental shenanigans and gross-out gags.

There are stray amusing moments when an elderly bachelor friend (Richard Jenkins, in show-stealing mode) fetches up to play Cupid. Otherwise for long stretches, Hall Pass is merely dull and duller.