DVD: The Bounty Hunter

Photo: amazon.ca

(Pretty much sums it up.)

Starring Jennifer Aniston and Gerard Butler. Directed by Andy Tenant. 110 minutes. PG

In the trailer for The Bounty Hunter, we find out that Milo (Gerard Butler) is a bounty hunter, hunting his ex-wife Nicole (Jennifer Aniston). In The Bounty Hunter, Milo is a bounty hunter, hunting his ex-wife Nicole. That's all we ever really need to know in order to keep on top of this rom-com, although there are several pointless, confusing B stories.

Nicole has skipped bail for a petty crime and Milo has been tasked with putting her behind bars for the sum of $5000, which he says is a big deal to him, although he's already fully decked out his apartment in classy furni and art under Nicole's credit card some unknown time in their relationship. (If they were together, why does he need his own apartment? If they weren't, why did he have her credit card?) In an unnecessary addition to the aforementioned plot line, two bozos chase Milo, claiming that he owes their boss money (who just seems to be a random rich woman). And supposed reporter, Nicole, is trying to break a story about a murder disguised as a suicide and her confidential undercover source has been kidnapped by a man who owns a tattoo parlour, who is also now chasing her because she knows too much. Oh and she's also being stalked by some dorky dude from work who thinks they're a couple because they made out once when she was drunk but then he gets kidnapped too, by one of the bozos.

The side-stories are about as pointless as the entire film. All that really (and clearly) propels the story is the fact that Milo is chasing Nicole, which isn't much at all. He chases her the entire film. When he has her, he handcuffs her. Then she tries to get away. So he chases her. And repeat.

There also isn't much to laugh at. There are a few one-liners from supporting cast but who even really remembers what they were. It makes you realize how un-funny (but still vital) Rachel was on Friends. And then you miss Friends.

Although visually, Butler and Aniston seem a pretty pair, and maybe even are in real life (or "were" or "were never," ah, the tabloids), but here, we see next to nothing, aside from a little effort on Butler's part. When Nicole cries at one point remembering their honeymoon, Milo gets up to comfort her and it really seems genuine. But then she knocks him down so we see no more secretly-sweet Milo, rendering his efforts pointless, much like the rest of the film.

Really, it's useless when an un-funny rom-com isn't even cheesy enough to poke fun at. To end on the high point of the film, that was a pretty sweet car Milo drove. D

EXTRAS: Featurettes