The Slapstick Saturation Point

The latest release from Netflix, 72 Hours, has all the makings of a comedy classic: a charismatic lead in Kevin Hart, a talented young cast, and a premise that promises to tackle the complexities of intergenerational relationships. However, what transpires is a messy, unfunny farce that squanders its potential with a reliance on cheap gags and tired stereotypes.

The film’s protagonist, Joe (Hart), is a 40-year-old marketing executive struggling to connect with his younger colleagues. When he inadvertently joins a group chat with a trio of Gen Z friends planning a bachelor party in Miami, he sees an opportunity to learn from the youth and win over his boss. The setup has some potential for clever satire, but instead, the script devolves into a series of ridiculous misadventures that play out like a never-ending series of pratfalls.

The writers seem to have taken a scattergun approach, incorporating as many absurd plot twists as possible. At one point, Hart’s character is mistaken for a human trafficker and forced to ingest cocaine, which somehow transforms him into a heavily accented Italian gangster named Riccardo Montana. This gag is repeated later on with no discernible reason why the filmmakers thought it was funny enough to warrant multiple iterations.

The younger cast, comprised of Saturday Night Live recruits Marcello Hernández, Ben Marshall, and Kam Patterson, are wasted in this material. Despite their proven comedic chops, they’re unable to elevate the pedestrian script beyond its slapstick antics. Andy Garcia stands out as a serious actor playing a humorously over-the-top role.

The marketing campaign’s emphasis on the film’s R-rating and “hilarious” moments suggests a calculated attempt to appeal to a specific demographic. It’s unclear whether the writers and directors genuinely believed they were tackling something innovative or simply aimed for lowest-common-denominator laughs.

As audiences grow weary of formulaic, slapstick-heavy fare, it becomes increasingly clear that comedy needs a refresh. 72 Hours is a reminder that even with talented casts and promising premises, a reliance on cheap humor can be a recipe for disaster. The film’s failure to deliver a genuinely funny experience raises questions about the state of comedy in the streaming era – and what this means for the future of original content.

Ultimately, the end result is a messy, unfunny farce that fails to live up to its potential. With a more nuanced approach and a willingness to tackle genuine cultural commentary, 72 Hours could have been something special. Instead, it’s just another example of how not to make a comedy classic.

The film serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of prioritizing cheap laughs over genuine creativity. It’s a reminder that even with all the bells and whistles, a film can still fall flat – and that sometimes, less is truly more.