Get Hardis a 2015 Americancrime comedy filmdirected byEtan Cohen(in his directorial debut) and written by Cohen, Jay Martel, andIan Roberts.[5]The film starsWill FerrellandKevin HartwithTip "T.I." Harris,Alison Brie,andCraig T. Nelsonin supporting roles.[6]The film focuses on James King (Ferrell), a wealthy investment bank manager who is framed for a crime he did not commit, and asks the man who washes his car, Darnell Lewis (Hart) to help him prepare for prison.
Get Hard | |
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![]() Theatrical release poster | |
Directed by | Etan Cohen |
Screenplay by |
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Story by |
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Produced by |
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Starring |
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Cinematography | Tim Suhrstedt |
Edited by | Michael L. Sale |
Music by | Christophe Beck |
Production companies | |
Distributed by | Warner Bros. Pictures |
Release dates |
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Running time | 100 minutes[1][2] |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Budget | $40-44 million[3][4] |
Box office | $111.8 million[4] |
The film was released March 27, 2015 to generally negative reviews but was a box office success, grossing $111 million worldwide on the budget of $40-44 million.
Plot
editJames King is a wealthyhedge fundmanager at Barrow Funds, engaged to Alissa, the daughter of his boss Martin Barrow. During an engagement party for James and Alissa, theFBIarrive and arrest James forfraudandembezzlement.James' lawyer, Peter Penny, urges him to plead guilty for a likely shorter sentence, but James refuses under the belief that he will be exonerated. James is found guilty, however, and subsequently sentenced to 10 years inSan Quentin State Prison,with the judge allowing him 30 days to get his affairs in order. On top of this, Alissa leaves James after he suggests the two flee the country together.
Over time, James has come to know Darnell Lewis, who operates a small car wash business in the parking lot used by James. Shortly after his arrest, James encounters Darnell and, assuming he has been incarcerated before because he is Black, begs him for help, requesting to be "toughened up". Darnell, who in actuality has never been to prison and has little experience in fighting, agrees, on the condition James pays him $30,000; Darnell sees it as an opportunity for him and his wife Rita to finally put their daughter Makayla in a better school, away from the bad neighborhood they live in.
Darnell's training, which includes pepper-spraying James, re-modelling his house to resemble a maximum security prison and creating multiple scenarios in which he must defend himself, all fail miserably. During the training, James gets in touch with Martin to tell him about his search for help. Martin, the actual crook, believes James is onto him and orders a hitman named Gayle to monitor him.
With James' training seemingly going nowhere, Darnell suggests that James should prepare in other ways for prison, and takes him to a gay hookup spot to teach James how to perform oral sex in prison. James can't go through with it and instead tells Darnell that he will keep going and do whatever it takes in order to "get hard". James soon after begins to work out harder and faster, makesshivs,learns "keistering" (smugglingcontrabandin theanus), and seems to be making progress. Darnell simulates a prison riot with help from James' domestic staff. In the chaos, James gets a shiv stuck in his head, after which, Darnell brings James to his home for Rita to treat it. James has dinner with Darnell's family and listens to the tale of how he ended up in prison, which is actually just a retelling of the movieBoyz n the Hood.
James and Darnell resolve for James to join a local gang called the Crenshaw Kings to gain protection in prison. However, Darnell's cousin and gang leader Russell rebuffs James and redirects him to theAlliance of Whitesgang. James is unable to portray a convincing racist, leading the gang to think he is a cop; they threaten to attack James, but Darnell rescues him by bursting in with a flamethrower.
Eventually, Darnell and James finally deduce that Martin is the crook and the reason James is going to prison. They sneak into his office and find the embezzlement records on Martin's computer. Before they can expose him, Gayle finds them and takes back the computer, informing James that Darnell is not who he thinks he is and has never been in prison. Dejected and upset that Darnell lied to him, James returns to the Crenshaw Kings on his own, asking to join. They accept him as one of their own and order him to kill someone as his initiation. Before he can do so, Darnell arrives in time to convince James to expose Martin.
The two sneak onto Martin's yacht to retrieve the computer, only to come across Gayle and his men. James unleashes a series ofcapoeiramoves on them before Martin and Alissa arrive, both confessing to the fraud and embezzlement, a scheme that also included Peter. They try to convince James to run away with them, but he turns them down and heads to a life raft with Darnell. When Gayle shoots the life raft, James pulls out a gun he had "keistered" and aims it at Gayle. U.S. Marshals suddenly appear, summoned by theankle monitorthat James triggered, having trespassed the county line.
Martin's computer provides the evidence needed to clear James. Martin, Gayle, Alissa, and the henchmen are all arrested and James is exonerated. However, he is still sentenced to six months in prison for holding an unlicensed gun, but thanks to Darnell's training, James is fully prepared for his stint in prison, unlike Martin, who is quickly attacked by inmates when his San Quentin sentence with Peter begins. James spends his sentence helping the FBI retrieve all the assets that Martin stole while guiding Darnell's investments so that he and Rita are able to open their own carwash. As Darnell drives James home after his release, James announces his intent to celebrate his freedom with aWall Street Journaland aforty,which he now considers a perfect Sunday.
Cast
edit- Will Ferrellas James King, a hedge fund manager who is framed for embezzlement
- Kevin Hartas Darnell Lewis, a car wash attendant who helps James prepare for prison, despite never being in prison.
- Craig T. Nelsonas Martin Barrow, the head of Barrow Funds and father of Alissa who frames James for embezzlement
- Alison Brieas Alissa Barrow, the gold-digging fiancée of James and daughter of Martin Barrow
- Edwina Findleyas Rita Lewis, Darnell's wife
- Tip "T.I." Harrisas Russell, Darnell's cousin who is the leader of the Crenshaw Kings
- Ariana Neal as Makayla Lewis, Darnell and Rita's daughter
- Erick Chavarria as Cecelio, James' gardener
- Katia Gomez as Rosa, James' maid
- Greg Germannas Peter Penny, a lawyer associated with James and Martin
- Paul Ben-Victoras Gayle, Martin's hired help
- John Mayeras himself, he performs at James and Alissa's engagement party and later appears onThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallonwhere he talks about James and sings a sample from his ballad about him
- Jon Eyez as Big Mike
- Nito Larioza as Jaoa
- Dan Bakkedahlas Leo
- Ron Funchesas Jojo, a member of the Crenshaw Kings
- Elliot Grey as Judge V. Carlyle, the judge that presides over James' trial
- Matt Walshas Bathroom Stall Man
- T. J. Jagodowskias Chris
- Dominique Perry as Shonda
- Jimmy Fallonas himself (uncredited), he interviews John Mayer about being present during James' arrest
Production
editOn December 7, 2012, it was announced thatWarner Bros.was in talks to acquire the film written byIan Robertsand Jay Martel, whileAdam McKayandWill Ferrell'sGary Sanchez Productionswould produce.[7]On September 17, 2013Etan Cohenwas set to direct.[5]On February 24, 2014, Warner Bros. set the film for a March 27, 2015 release.[8]
On December 7, 2012,Will FerrellandKevin Hartwere attached to starring roles.[7]On February 26, 2014, it was announcedCraig T. Nelsonhad joined the cast to play Martin Barrow, the founder of Barrow Funds (Ferrell's character's boss) and also the father of Ferrell's character's fiancée.[9]On March 17, 2014Alison Briesigned on to star, playing the fiancée of Ferrell's character.[10]On March 21, 2014,Edwina Findleyjoined the cast to play Rita Hudson, wife to Hart's character.[11]On March 24, 2014Dan Bakkedahljoined the cast to play Rick, Ferrell's hated enemy at their office.[12]On March 25, 2014,T.I.joined the cast, playing a character named Russell, Hart's character's streetwise cousin.[13]
Principal photographybegan on March 17, 2014, inNew Orleans,[14]and ended on May 14, 2014.[15]The film was somewhat controversial with some perceiving that it was playing into race-related stereotypes.[16]During some scenes Cohen asked Hart's opinion on how some jokes would be perceived by African American audiences and made some changes accordingly.[16]Warner Bros. and Cohen also performed extensive testing to make sure the humor came across well.[16]
Music
editOn October 30, 2014,Christophe Beckwas hired to compose the music for the film.[17]
Release
editThe film was released byWarner Bros.on March 27, 2015.[8]
Reception
editBox office
editGet Hardgrossed $90.4 million in the United States and Canada, and $21.3 million in other territories for a worldwide total of $111.7 million against a budget of $40 million.[4](Other reports put the budget at $44 million. The film also received $12.3 million in tax incentives for filming in Louisiana.)[3]
In its opening weekend, the film grossed $33.8 million, coming in second place at the box office behindHome($52.1 million). It was Ferrell's third-highest opening for a live-action film, behindTalladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby($47 million) andThe Other Guys($35.5 million), and was passed the following December byDaddy's Home($38.7 million).[18]
Critical response
editGet Hardhas received generally negative reviews, with many critics citing the film's overuse of racial jokes. OnRotten Tomatoes,the film has an approval rating of 28% based on 186 reviews, with an average rating of 4.40/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "A waste of two fine funnymen,Get Hardsettles for tired and offensive gags instead of tapping into its premise's boundary-pushing potential. "[19]OnMetacriticthe film has aweighted averagescore of 34 out of 100, based on reviews from 43 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews".[20]CinemaScorepolls conducted during the opening weekend recorded that audiences gaveGet Hardan average grade of "B" on an A+ to F scale.[21]
Richard CorlissofTime magazinewrote: "Laughter trumps political fairness, andGet Hardmade me laugh at, and with, situations I hadn’t thought could tickle me. The movie has a warm heart beating under its seemingly scabrous shell. "[22]
The film was criticized for itsgay panicjokes andhomophobia.[23][24]
References
edit- ^"Get Hard(15) ".British Board of Film Classification.March 9, 2015.Archivedfrom the original on July 3, 2020.RetrievedMarch 9,2015.
- ^"AMC Theatres: Get Hard".amctheatres.com.Archived fromthe originalon March 3, 2016.RetrievedFebruary 12,2015.
- ^ab"2015 Film Study"(PDF).May 2016.Archived(PDF)from the original on April 30, 2018.RetrievedAugust 24,2019.
- ^abc"Get Hard (2015)".Box Office Mojo.Archivedfrom the original on May 14, 2019.RetrievedJune 16,2016.
- ^abKroll, Justin (September 17, 2013)."Etan Cohen to Direct Will Ferrell and Kevin Hart in Warner Bros. 'Get Hard'".variety.com.Archivedfrom the original on April 28, 2023.RetrievedMarch 5,2014.
- ^THR Staff (December 19, 2014)."Kevin Hart Schools a Racist, Convicted Will Ferrell in the 'Get Hard' Trailer".The Hollywood Reporter.Archivedfrom the original on January 20, 2021.RetrievedFebruary 12,2015.
- ^abFleming, Mike Jr. (December 7, 2012)."Warner Bros In Talks For 'Get Hard' With Will Ferrell And Kevin Hart Attached To Star".Deadline Hollywood.Archivedfrom the original on May 20, 2014.RetrievedMarch 5,2014.
- ^abFord, Rebecca (February 24, 2014)."Will Ferrell-Kevin Hart Comedy 'Get Hard' Lands Release Date".hollywoodreporter.com.Archivedfrom the original on July 4, 2020.RetrievedMarch 5,2014.
- ^Ford, Rebecca (February 26, 2014)."Craig T. Nelson Joins Will Ferrell-Kevin Hart Comedy 'Get Hard'".hollywoodreporter.com.Archivedfrom the original on October 24, 2020.RetrievedMarch 5,2014.
- ^Fleming, Mike Jr. (March 17, 2014)."'Community's Alison Brie Joins Will Ferrell-Kevin Hart Comedy 'Get Hard'".Deadline Hollywood.Archived fromthe originalon May 20, 2014.RetrievedMarch 18,2014.
- ^"Edwina Findley Cast In 'Get Hard'".Deadline Hollywood.March 21, 2014.Archivedfrom the original on May 20, 2014.RetrievedMarch 22,2014.
- ^"Dan Bakkedahl Joins 'Get Hard'".Deadline Hollywood.March 24, 2014.Archivedfrom the original on March 28, 2014.RetrievedMarch 25,2014.
- ^"T.I. Joins Will Ferrell Comedy 'Get Hard'".Deadline Hollywood.March 25, 2014.Archivedfrom the original on May 20, 2014.RetrievedMarch 26,2014.
- ^"GET HARD with Will Ferrell and Kevin Hart Begins Filming".broadwayworld.com.March 18, 2014.Archivedfrom the original on March 22, 2014.RetrievedMarch 21,2014.
- ^"On The Set For 5/19/14: Christoph Waltz-Starrer 'Tulip Fever' Starts For The Weinstein Co".Studiosystemnews.com. Archived fromthe originalon May 21, 2014.RetrievedMay 21,2014.
- ^abcZeitchik, Steven (March 26, 2015)."For 'Get Hard' director, race-themed satire is a tricky enterprise".Los Angeles Times.Archivedfrom the original on October 30, 2020.RetrievedNovember 21,2015.
- ^"Christophe Beck Scoring 'Get Hard'".filmmusicreporter.com. October 30, 2014.Archivedfrom the original on October 31, 2014.RetrievedOctober 31,2014.
- ^"Will Ferrell".boxofficemojo.com.Archived fromthe originalon January 28, 2012.
- ^"Get Hard".Rotten Tomatoes.Archivedfrom the original on April 25, 2021.RetrievedMay 11,2021.
- ^"Get Hard Reviews".Metacritic.CBS Interactive.Archivedfrom the original on September 9, 2020.RetrievedApril 1,2020.
- ^D'Alessandro, Anthony (March 29, 2015)."Star Power Propels DWA's 'Home' To $54M; 'Get Hard' To $34.6M – Final Sunday AM Box Office Update".Deadline Hollywood.Archivedfrom the original on March 28, 2015.RetrievedSeptember 22,2021.
auds gave it a B CinemaScore, guys under 18 loved it with an A-.
- ^Corliss, Richard(March 27, 2015)."Don't Tell Anyone, But I Kind of Liked Get Hard".Time.Archivedfrom the original on September 28, 2020.RetrievedAugust 25,2019.
- ^Needham, Alex (March 17, 2015)."Get Hard review – Will Ferrell continues the tradition of gay panic comedies".The Guardian.Archivedfrom the original on September 22, 2021.RetrievedSeptember 11,2021.
- ^Donnelly, Matt (May 2, 2016)."Hollywood Movies Still Stereotype LGBT Characters, Depict 'Gay Panic' Scenes".The Wrap.Archivedfrom the original on October 20, 2021.RetrievedSeptember 11,2021.