Due Date

When it comes to Due Date, it would be too easy to say “if you enjoyed The Hangover, you will enjoy this”, although this is likely to be true. The film does not take itself too seriously and aims to have its audience in fits of laughter, which it certainly achieves.

The story is simple yet ideal for a comedy film. Peter Highman (Downey Jr) is waiting at the airport to board a plane to Los Angeles, where his wife is due to give birth very soon, but has his bag switched with one that contains marijuana. After having it confiscated, he is able to board the plane but is mistaken for a terrorist and unable to fly. Through a series of unfortunate events, he is forced to hitch a lift with aspiring actor and drug addict Ethan Tremblay (Galifianakis) and his unfortunate looking dog.

The unusual comedy duo of Downey Jr (Sherlock Holmes) and Galigianakis (The Hangover, Dinner for Schmucks) works surprisingly well and their personalities bounce off each other onscreen naturally. Downey Jr’s somewhat straight-laced character and Galifianakis’ usual bumbling self provide hours of entertainment and make it clear that the two actors enjoyed working together. Who knows, they may well be making a return to screens in the future!

Whilst Due Date is by no means groundbreaking, it is still a great film to unwind to at the end of the day. Quite simply, it is about two men who are struck with more bad luck that you could ever wish on an enemy but you can still laugh at their expense without feeling the tiniest bit guilty.

Sophie Carroll