Hot Pursuit, Review: Cool comic caper

A go-by-the-book cop from San Antonio, Rose Cooper (Reese Witherspoon), who has a reputation for inefficiency and low intelligence, is assigned by Captain Emmett (John Carroll Lynch) to escort a murderous drug baron, Vicente Cortez (Joaquín Cosio)’s lieutenant, Felipe Riva (Vincent Caresca), and his wife Daniella (Sofia Vergara) to a court in Texas, where they are to testify against him. As soon as she arrives at the house, with her police colleague Jackson (Richard T. Jones), two gangs attack the premises, hit-men Jesus (Benny Nieves, My Name is Khan's Detective Garcia) and Angel (Michael Ray Escamilla), and corrupt cops Hauer (Matthew Del Negro) and Dixon (Michael Mosley). In the following shootout, Jackson and Felipe are killed. Cooper and the Riva’s widow manage to escape, but encounter crooked cops as they flee, cops who are out to kill them both. Obviously, it’s a set-up. Along the way, Daniella’s whims and Cooper’s twisted logic gradually turn into a bond, while they end up getting involved in some really crazy encounters. One of these involves a gun-toting man (Jim Gaffigan) before whom they pretend to be lesbian lovers, and another called Randy (Robert Kazinsky), who is an honest, escaped convict. Randy becomes their accessory.

Originally titled Don’t Mess with Texas, the film was shot mainly in New Orleans. It was first bought by Universal, but they backed out, and MGM put it together. Hot Pursuit has been released by Warner Bros./New Line Cinema. As many as four writers are credited with the screenplay: David Feeney (TV’s “New Girl”) & John Quaintance (TV’s “Ben & Kate”) and Dana Fox (“What Happens in Vegas”) & Katherine Silberman (TV’s “Ben & Kate”). This is one of those occasions when too many cooks did not spoil the broth. Yes, there are many stereo-types and familiar characters. Humour abounds, in all its manifestations: risqué, situational, dialogue-based and self-deprecating. There are a few occasions when it is carried too far, like in the various get-ups that Witherspoon dons, including an impression of José (Justin) Bieber. Another thread, involving Daniella’s huge shoe-chest, has an emotional explanation. A better written climax would have surely helped. As it stands, it reminds you of many a Hindi film.

Director Anne Fletcher (Step Up, 27 Dresses, The Proposal, The Guilt Trip) brings in some interesting insights into a variation of the female buddy-buddy genre, as well as setting the scene in the first two sequences, preparing you for what is to follow. Reese Witherspoon is also a producer, and it is obvious why. She gets to showcase a nerdy personality and put-in a poker-faced performance that is quite in keeping with her character. Sofia Vergara is the voluptuous moll, of Colombian origin, several inches (feet?) taller than Witherspoon, and worldly-wise. Jim Gaffigan goes through a hilarious scene with some dignity and Robert Kazinsky pulls a few punches towards the end. There is nothing outstanding in the rest of the actors’ performances, nor anything appalling.

Reasons for not enjoying the film:

You hate anatomical jokes

Reese was better in Legally Blonde

Sofia is a loud stereo-type

There are loopholes in the narrative

A drug-lord cannot possibly be so naïve

How can almost all the policemen be corrupt?

How many jokes can you cut on the heights and ages of the lead pair?

Reasons for enjoying it:

Have fun

Stop analysing every shot

Such irreverence is not too common on the screen

Not often do actors indulge in so much self-deprecation

Women doing women things and willing to laugh about them is good consistency

Unexpected developments springing up along the way in a road movie

Although they are heroines, they perform hardly any heroics

Hot Pursuit is not hot stuff. It’s not cold either. Cool’s the word?

Rating: **1/2

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=86nRuz4YuPY