This is Peter Berg’s first movie as writer and director (you’d recognise his face, as he’s appeared in lots of movies as an actor, for example The Last Seduction) He shows a good clear eye for visual detail, but that’s the only nice thing I have to say.

It feels a bit foolish ranting about the amoral stance of the movie, as that’s obviously the ‘idea’ behind the movie. If I was being charitable, I’d guess that it’s meant to be a story of men discovering their moral sense after unthinkingly going too far (kinda like A Simple Plan, which I watched just before this). But Berg’s movie leaves a very bad taste, so I see no reason to be charitable.

The only other possible excuse is that it’s meant to be a black comedy, but that’s ruled out by the simple fact that there are only one or two mildly amusing moments in the whole thing. The fact that’s it’s very competent on a technical level (apart from breaking into rock-video mode every few minutes), glossily photographed and stars some of the most popular new stars in Hollywood only makes it more reprehensible. Not to mention the fact everyone involved seems to be smugly revelling in their own ‘outrageousness’, like spoilt teenagers. Jon Favreau scratches out all the goodwill he earned in Swingers, Cameron Diaz continues her efforts to make herself unattractive against the odds, Christian Slater continues to believe his own caricature, and only Daniel Stern seems to have the grace to be embarrassed. And he starred in the Home Alone movies. Totally worthless.

Come on BBFC, if you’re going to ban anything, start here. (Well, I reckon I’m the first one to get to the end of writing a review without commenting on the title…)

Mild Peril Rating:

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