I found this film to be a hodge-podge of screenwriting, just barely paying enough attention to provide any form of character development for a somewhat wide cast of characters who either work or live in a hotel for wealthy folks in New York City, and keying in on a timely public sentiment when it comes to the Occupy movement, and the Bernie Madeoff ponzi schemes.
I'm grateful that the marketing keeps most of the 3rd act underwraps, and just props up the premise of the film (Alan Alda's character being a Bernie Madeoff-like character, and bilked large sums of people's retirement, including the crew from the hotel he lived in, and some of the hotel crew go after a probable getaway nest egg of $20 million). Ben Stiller has very little to do while being the lead character, playing far too much of the straight guy to garner much laughs from his character, even with Eddie Murphy acting on a manic level that thoroughly overwhelms the rest of the acting energy from the cast.
It would make for a decent matinee viewing to pass a few hours.
I give it 2.5 stars, or a grade of C+.
I'm grateful that the marketing keeps most of the 3rd act underwraps, and just props up the premise of the film (Alan Alda's character being a Bernie Madeoff-like character, and bilked large sums of people's retirement, including the crew from the hotel he lived in, and some of the hotel crew go after a probable getaway nest egg of $20 million). Ben Stiller has very little to do while being the lead character, playing far too much of the straight guy to garner much laughs from his character, even with Eddie Murphy acting on a manic level that thoroughly overwhelms the rest of the acting energy from the cast.
It would make for a decent matinee viewing to pass a few hours.
I give it 2.5 stars, or a grade of C+.
