Jesse Eisenberg, Terrence Howard and Richard Gere in "The Hunting Party"
(Credit: Karen Ballard/Weinstein Co.)
- Running time:
- 103 minutes
- Rated:
- R
- Cast:
- Richard Gere -
- Simon Hunt
- Terrence Howard -
- Duck
- Jesse Eisenberg -
- Benjamin
- James Brolin -
- Franklin Harris
- Ljubomir Kerekes -
- The Fox
(1 rating)
Big question: With Middle Eastern politics occupying most of the world’s attention will there be any interest in a cinematic reminder of a former global hot spot?
Skip it: Opening with the cheeky warning “Only the most ridiculous parts of this story are true,” “The Hunting Party” struggles mightily to juggle dark comedy, action and geopolitics. Although the film initially plays like breezy fun, it begins to crumble under the weight of lofty ambitions and a scattershot tone. Writer/director Richard Shepard (“The Matador”) obviously has something to say, but only the closing credit title cards come close to communicating a message.
Catch it: The unusual combination of Gere, Howard and Eisenberg does provide an occasional spark as their characters undergo professional and personal bonding. Their offbeat chemistry shines brightest in a quirky sequence where the guys meet with a mysterious informant (Diane Kruger).
Bottom line: “The Hunting Party” is one of those annual releases that bridge the gap between the box office heavyweights of summer and the more serious award-contenders of fall. But once audiences have a look at what’s to come, they’ll forget this modest “Party” ever happened.
Bonus: At least the movie isn’t coming out with its original title, “Spring Break in Bosnia.” That inevitably would’ve led to some audiences members feeling ripped off by the film’s lack of wet t-shirt contests.
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