OC Screenwriters Association

 This movie is unfortunate in so many ways.

I'm not familiar with Jody Hill's work. It appears he hasn't done much, but after seeing this, it seems that this script just got away from him.

First, he didn't start with a very compelling concept. Concepts should have a built in conflict which begs to be watched.

Observe and Report is about a bi-polar mall security guard, Ronnie Barnhardt played by Seth Rogen, who tries to capture a rather disturbing flasher, while trying to win the heart of a slutty cosmetics clerk. Where's the villain? The flasher never has a plan, and Ronnie's rival, Detective Harrison played by Ray Liotta, is almost as pathetic as Ronnie. Where's the conflict?

Second, there is a lot about this comedy that isn't funny. Take the protagonist's struggles with being bi-polar. Not funny. Also, shooting an unarmed criminal. Not funny. Beating up about 20 cops. Not funny. Doing drugs on the job. Not funny. Borderline date rape. Not at all funny. You get my point. Maybe this movie was poorly marketed as a comedy. But then again, nothing else works in this movie, so I'm not sure what they would have called it.

I'm told this is Jody Hill's shtick with HBO's Eastbound & Down. The series is known for creating unlikeable, unredeemable characters. But maybe Hill should stick with TV. Which leads me to...

Third, the plot is a mess. We're told that the main character wants to be a cop - no spoiler there - and at one point he's very close to achieving his dream. But everything else is just a wash of nonsensical scenes. Even the capture of the flasher takes a back seat as Ronnie stumbles through scenes of yelling at vendors in the mall or drinking coffee with a temporarily disabled fast food employee named Nell. This is a cautionary tale for writers without a clear concept and plot engine. We really never know where this is headed.

Fourth, none of the characters have a character arc. Maybe I'm old school, but when I shell out my $10 for a film, I want to see the film's universe in action. I want to see the main character's flaws tested, and I want to see them go down in flames or emerge victorious - a changed person. Here... well. It looks like Ronnie learned not to go off his bi-polar medication.

And lastly, the writing is unremarkable and in some cases down right ridiculous. None of these scenes really provide any of the actors with anything to work with. The scenes are blah at best, and the end is completely unbelievable. Now I know what you're thinking. "This is a comedy. It's okay for the ending to be unbelievable." I'm going to disagree.

I think Mr. Sevi put it best:
The end of your movie should be the inevitable but unexpected conclusion to everything you've built. It shouldn't be some random event where a character is let off the hook for some pretty major mistakes in the film and then mysteriously hailed as a hero.

I give this 3 out of 10. Definitely a Lemon.