What Happens in Vegas (2008)

April 08, 2009

HBO Broadcast, Seattle, WA

* / ****

When the best joke an alleged comedy can throw at its audience is Ashton Kutcher dumping a bowl of Cameron Diaz’ popcorn down his pants you know you’re watching a horrible movie. But alas, “sweaty ball topping” is indeed the height of this lame, clichéd, miserably acted monstrosity.

From the first frame to the last cameo one thing is blatantly obvious throughout What Happens in Vegas: all involved are here merely for a paycheck. Whether it be Kutcher and Diaz as a pair of wealthy yuppies feigning hatred for each other as they cheerfully sabotage their sham marriage in order to keep the 3 million bucks they accidentally won in Vegas (long story!) or Queen Latifah as a psychologist trying to get them to get along (ridiculous story!) the groans come fast and furious. Throw in a pair of obnoxiously ingratiating best buddies, a male for Kutcher (Rob Corddry) and a female for Diaz (Lake Bell), who always seem to be hanging around for no reason whatsoever and the result is a film I wish would have stayed in Vegas rather than invading my television set.

And that’s all I have to say about that.

Director: Tom Vaughan

Producer: Michael Aguilar, Dean Georgaris

Writer: Dana Fox

Starring: Cameron Diaz, Ashton Kutcher

Original Music: Christophe Beck

Cinematographer: Matthew F. Leonetti

Editor: Matt Friedman