A nervous Peter Highman is about to be a father so he is hurrying back home to witness the birth of his child, the only thing coming in his way is the wishful actor who is alongside him.
It's true that they're undesirable travel companions (to each other, and to the audience), but you have to admire a comedy bold enough to feature such detestable lead characters.
Galifianakis keeps the laughs coming in the hilarious, banter-filled first half, but as Due Date descends into explosions, car-chases and awkwardly inserted moments of poignancy, it loses its wit and pacing in favor of predictable stunts.
Aims the slow burn of Robert Downey Jr. at the addled idiocy of Zach Galifianakis in a "Hangover" director's version of "Planes, Trains and Automobiles."
America's coolest actor, funniest new comedian and hottest directing talent have somehow conspired to make one of the most worthless films in recent memory.
I was actually surprised at the lack of good comedy in the film and I think it has to do with the fact that both these characters, with whom we spend so much time, are not actually all that sympathetic.
Phillips convolutes the adventure with a bizarre mix of unrealized emotional complexity and over-the-top gross-out humor but most viewers will still enjoy the loony ride.
Phillips squeezes a lot of comedy juice from the odd couple pairing and, even with a few flat moments, the film shows a remarkable ability to keep hitting its sweet spot.
