Packed
with
impulsive
situations,
"Hot
Pursuit" is
an
engaging,
mainstream
Hollywood
comic
caper
with
an
overall
feel
good
effect,
but
it's
not
effective.
A
formulaic
action
comedy
film
based
on
the
'buddy
cop"
genre,
this
film
involves
two
female
protagonists
--
a
rigid
and
morally
upright
police
officer
called
Rose
Cooper
(Reese
Witherspoon)
and
a
mafia
henchman's
wife,
Daniella
Riva
(Sofia
Vergara).
The
film
begins
with
a
brief
detailing
of
Cooper's
character.
She
is
a
firecracker
who
scares
off
her
dates
and
colleagues
with
her
intense
personality.
But
because
of
her
sincerity
and
sticking
by
the
books
attitude,
she
is
assigned
to
escort
Daniella,
to
Dallas
to
testify
against
a
Drug
mafia
Vincente
Cortez
(Joaquin
Cosio).
The
tale
gathers
momentum
after
the
shootout
at
the
Riva's
villa,
where
Daniella's
husband
gets
killed.
As
the
duo
drive
away
in
the
Rivas'
classic
Cadillac
convertible,
they
figure
out
that
they've
been
targeted
not
only
by
vicious
mobsters
but
by
the
"bad"
and
"good"
police
too.
So,
with
no
one
but
each
other
to
lean
on,
the
officer
and
outlaw
grudgingly
join
forces
to
survive
the
drive
to
a
safe
sanctuary
in
Dallas.
There
is
no
story!
And
the
plot
is
simple
and
silly.
Prudes
may
feel
it
is
below
their
dignity
to
laugh
at
the
mindless
situations
that
offer
lighter
moments
to
life.
But
don't
moments
like
these
that
make
life
memorable
and
grant
you
a
chuckle?
"Hot
Pursuit"
offers
plenty
of
such
moments
which
begins
with;
the
young
Cooper's
reaction
to
a
transsexual
in
her
father's
patrol
car,
followed
by
her
chasing
her
date,
then
her
reckless
act
of
attacking
an
unarmed
student,
the
list
goes
on.
The
script
may
sound
frivolous
with
strands
found
in
various
films
like,
"Midnight
Run",
"48
Hrs"
and
"The
Squeeze".
And
the
characters
don't
rise
beyond
their
pigeon
holed
graphs.
But
it
is
their
performance,
however
ridiculous
they
are,
that
keeps
you
hooked.
Reese
Witherspoon
as
the
no-nonsense
Cooper
is
a
huge
contrast
from
any
of
her
previous
characters
and
she
is
a
pleasant
surprise.
She
clearly
has
some
fun
playing
the
constantly
chattering
policewoman
with
a
masculine
gait.
Vergara
on
the
other
hand
as
the
sassy,
spirited
Latino
lady,
fixated
about
her
age
and
who
lugs
around
a
suitcase
full
of
jewel-encrusted
shoes
is
superb
too.
Together,
they
make
an
interesting,
mismatched,
screen
pair
with
powerful
over-the-top
performances,
projecting
stereotype
characters.
The
rest
of
the
supporting
cast
have
nothing
much
to
do
nor
do
they
register
except
for
Robert
Kazinsky,
who
plays
Rose's
Love
interest.
He
has
a
meaningful
rounded
character
graph
that
makes
you
root
for
him.
Technically
with
its
modest
cinematography,
fine
edits
and
good
production
value
the
film
is
above
average.
Director
Anne
Fletcher
who
had
earlier
delivered
"Step
Up",
"27
Dresses",
"The
Proposal" and
"Guilt
Trip"
has
this
time
delivered
a
no-brainer
that
fails
to
break
cinematic
ground
but
certainly
provides
ample
laughs.
A
must
watch
this
weekend.