Rent-A-Friend
Due Date
Review by Ross Anthony

How do you feel about movies that pair, by pure unfortunate random circumstance, a relatively normal person, with an annoying, injurious dolt? Generally speaking, I prefer to avoid these premises, because the comedic payload must be quite high to make enduring the aggravation worthwhile.

Surprisingly, this antagonist has some undeniable heart, which gives the picture moments of sincere beauty. Downey Jr. is also an excellent actor - another big plus. He makes it easier for viewers to endure Galifianakis's painful friendship. These moments of intimate fatherhood-reflection propel the story, giving us hope, and the film great promise. Sadly, though we drive cross-country with an oblivious tormentor, the goods aren't delivered upon our arrival. The film's luggage gets lost. It's as if the last 15 pages of a bold thought-out script are torn off and replaced by committee.

Still, those sweet moments amidst the wreckage offer cinematic impact. And, at least half the time, the tragic comedy really is funny. Essentially, this is a B film. It could have been a B+ with the ending I'm suspecting it originally had, (even possibly an A-). But that lukewarm, shy windup leaves me thinking B-.

Due Date
-- Books by Ross Anthony, Author/Illustrator--


  • Due Date. Copyright © 2010.
  • Directed by Todd Phillips. Starring Robert Downey Jr., Zach Galifianakis, Jamie Foxx.

Grade..........................B- (1.5/4)


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Copyright © 1998-2023 Ross Anthony, Author - Speaker - Solo World Circumnavigator In addition to reviewing films and interviewing celebs at HollywoodReportCard.com, traveling the world, composing great music, motivational speaking, Mr. Anthony also runs his own publishing company in the Los Angeles area. While traversing the circumference of the planet writing books and shooting documentaries, Mr. Anthony has taught, presented for, worked &/or played with locals in over 30 countries & 100 cities (Nairobi to Nagasaki). He's bungee-jumped from a bridge near Victoria Falls, wrestled with lions in Zimbabwe, crashed a Vespa off a high mountain road in Taiwan, and ridden a dirt bike across the States (Washington State to Washington DC). To get signed books ("Rodney Appleseed" to "Jinshirou") or schedule Ross to speak check out: www.RossAnthony.com or call 1-800-767-7186. Go into the world and inspire the people you meet with your love, kindness, and whatever it is you're really good at. Check out books by Ross Anthony. Rand() functions, Pho chicken soup, rollerblading, and frozen yogurt (w/ blueberries) also rock! (Btw, rand is short for random. It can also stand for "Really Awkward Nutty Dinosaurs" -- which is quite rand, isn't it?) Being alive is the miracle. Special thanks to Ken Kocanda, HAL, Jodie Keszek, Don Haderlein, Mom and Pops, my family, R. Foss, and many others by Ross Anthony. Galati-FE also deserves a shout out. And thanks to all of you for your interest and optimism. Enjoy great films, read stirring novels, grow.


Last Modified: Thursday, 04-Nov-2010 09:06:26 PDT