Starring: Jennifer Aniston, Gerard Butler
Director: Andy Tennant (Sweet Home Alabama, Hitch)
Running Time: 1 hr 50 min
Release Date: March 19, 2010
Budget: $40 million
Critics’ Thumbs Up: 18%
“…enjoyable…” Kerry Lengel, Arizona Republic
“…instantly grating…” Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News
Within the first 30 seconds of The Bounty Hunter, you know you’re going to be saddled with juvenile antics and over-the-top acting for the next two hours. In this frustratingly lousy comedy, Butler plays the titular renegade bounty hunter tasked with hauling to jail Aniston’s bail-jumping reporter who also happens to be his ex-wife. In amongst an intrusive, corny soundtrack and stupid shenanigans like Aniston escaping on a bicycle cart and Butler chasing a stilted Uncle Sam, the two attempt to solve a murder cover-up while fending off not-so-scary gangsters. Aniston and Butler (who one would assume could score better material) have zilch chemistry and even worse dialogue. “You’re Lakeshia?” a doubtful woman asks Aniston’s Nicole. “Yeah,” she responds. “Named after my Aunt…Lakeshia.” Meanwhile, Aniston’s constant supply of revealing, tight wardrobes garners more attention than her stale acting. Butler attempts to have fun as the naughty and supposed charming Milo, but he still can’t save The Bounty Hunter from being too long, too inundated with incomprehensible plot lines, and way too amateurish.
