Bradley Cooper, center, is an over-the-top thug in the enjoyable new action-comedy "Hit and Run."
HIT AND RUN is a comedy about a young couple that risks it all when they leave their small town life and embark on a ...
Rating: R for pervasive language including sexual references, graphic nudity, some violence and drug content
Length: 100 minutes
Released: August 22, 2012 Nationwide
Cast: Dax Shepard, Kristen Bell, Bradley Cooper, Kristin Chenoweth, Tom Arnold
Director: David Palmer, Dax Shepard
Writer: Dax Shepard
There's every reason to write off a late-August film like "Hit & Run."
It's a lovebirds-on-the-run story, a lightweight comedy featuring revving cars and containing some hit-you-over-the-head performances.
Tom Arnold is in it.
And the normally tolerable Bradley Cooper is so over-the-top as a thug he could leap straight into the next theater screen.
Maybe that's exactly why this movie works on enough levels that you should go see it.
Balancing it all are anchors Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell, a real-life couple who produces the film and practically gave birth to it. Shepard wrote it, directed it and did every little job that needed to be completed during production.
Shepard plays Charlie Bronson, a nice-enough guy living a quiet life in a small town. Unbeknownst to even his girlfriend Annie, played with all the charm Bell can muster, he's in the Witness Protection Program. Arnold plays the bumbling federal agent assigned to watch over Charlie.
He witnessed a crime years ago and was better off starting over than enduring retaliation from the bad guys he turned against.
He's in love with Annie, giving some heartfelt dialogue to her under the sheets and promising he'll always be there for her.
Then that's put to the test.
Annie is up for a great new job in Los Angeles, the type of job she's always wanted. That's when Charlie has to confess his true past to her.
Regardless, he sticks by her side and they embark on a road trip to Los Angeles (where the crime took place). Soon, the crooks, Annie's former lover and a United States Marshal chase after them.
"Hit & Run" is hardly a noteworthy movie or even remotely special. You can see where many of the major gags are going from the very start of them.
But, like Shepard and Bell — two television actors of some note — "Hit & Run" carries a delightfulness and comfortable style that create a pleasant viewing experience.
Like the dog days of summer, "Hit & Run" is, overall, a homage to the bust out loud end of summer (at least according to the film industry).
It's a perfect date movie (especially if it's early in the relationship). Women will enjoy the playfulness of the relationship between Charlie and Annie. The guys will stay awake for the gun play and screeching car tires.
"Hit & Run" wants to be a little more than it actually is. It's never going to be a cult film in the league of "The Big Lebowski" despite a tinge to go in that direction.
For a first time out, Shepard has done good work keeping "Hit & Run" on course. He's giving the masses what they want, even if it is done in a slightly desperate way.
Overall, he and Bell should be proud, and you'll be satisfied enough.
© 2012, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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