Sandra Bullock has been one of my favourite performers for many years. I first saw her in Speed, alongside a buff Keanu, driving that bus like a BOSS. There was instant admiration. Over the years her roles have been extremely varied. She's taken on award winning performances and trash chick-flick/comedy roles in equal measure. I had thought that I was about to see another Miss Congeniality (don't get me wrong, I really like that film, but like I said... I've seen it...) but I was pleasantly surprised to see Bullock add something fresh to the role of Ashburn; arrogant, FBI lonesome with a strange penchant for her neighbour's cat and a slightly unhealthy confidence in her own intelligence (it is somewhat justified... she should just stay away from scalpels...).
I had a hard time with Melissa McCarthy in this film though. I have to admit, I've only seen her in a few things and most of those were supporting roles, but she's never impressed me with much genuine ability as an actor. She has good comedic timing but I think that most of the film was carried by Bullock. McCarthy seems to have a limited range of expressions and tone in her dialogue. She came across as far more naive than her character (Mullins) should have perhaps been, given her tough beat-cop dialogue. The interactions between the two characters were sometimes wonderful, and I think that the producers have created a great team in McCarthy and Bullock (sequel?), but I wouldn't have enjoyed this film quite as much if the focus had been predominantly on Mullins.
There were a spattering of mentions about the misogyny that exists in the police force, and they were called out which was nice, but I was particularly glad to see that the romantic element of the film didn't impinge or influence the actions of the leads characters. It was great to see two women sorting some shit out without dwelling on a love drama. The sisterhood gave me goosebumps!
A few of my favourite bits: (spoiler warning)
The cat kidnapping.
The dancing in the pub.
The "innocent" misogynist.
The reference to Training Day.
The tracheostomy.
The grenade.
3.5 stars from me!
With Love
Surgeon Bug
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