“Observe and Report”: Deceptively good?

“Observe and Report” is the kind of movie that you are always surprised got made after you finish watching it. “They got THAT in there?” you mutter to yourself as you ponder the nation going to hell in a hand basket. Honestly though, I wouldn’t be surprised if this movie became an absolute cult classic on DVD in five years.

In a lot of ways, “Observe and Report” is one of the more skillful smattering of pop culture and indictment of the American dream we've had in recent years. Ronnie Barnhardt (surprisingly well-played by Rogen, an actor I’ve tired of in recent years) is the 21st century Travis Bickle from “Taxi Driver,” a rent-a-cop who’s a bipolar byproduct of the “Breakfast Club” generation. Ronnie believes he’s special in the way that parents tell their kindergartners and follows his dreams to reckless extremes.
Ronnie is narcissistic, paranoid, and delusional. His reality is totally skewed, from the importance of his job as “head of mall security” to his incessant interference with police investigations. He misses the cute girl at the food court to fake a relationship with Brandi (Anna Faris), a vacuous and nauseating tease from behind the cosmetics counter who is one of the most despicable women I’ve ever seen put to film. She’s truly awful, but Ronnie describes her as “the most beautiful woman in the mall, maybe the world.”

Our protagonist frames his world in grandiose terms, good and evil. He’s a mall cop version of Glenn Beck or Sean Hannity. I envision him blasting either heavy metal or Rush Limbaugh to get psyched in the morning. His speeches sound like they come from a preposterous comic book (“The world needs a fucking hero”). He’s the epitome of the American nightmare, unable to grasp what’s going on but incredibly aggressive in the fact that he’s in control and has the right solution. As a result, his methods are extreme; we see him beating skateboarders over the head and tazing people over parking tickets.

After failing to become a police officer, the mall becomes of otherworldly importance to Ronnie and he’ll do anything to protect it. When there is a flasher running amok in his mall, traumatizing his clientele and his love, Ronnie sees this “case” as his chance for redemption, to do good on his dream. Throughout the film, I never doubted Ronnie’s intentions. He always thought he was doing the right thing, even if he deluded himself when necessary. It was just appalling to see how much damage a well-intentioned human being, or country, can do when it flails about unable to lucidly engage reality.

I’m sure you’re thinking back, how did he possibly like this character? There are some real moments of tenderness with his alcoholic mother, brilliantly played by Celia Weston (“I’m making a change too, son. I’m switching to beer. I can pound that shit all day and keep my shit together”). When she has trouble, Ronnie does a good job taking care of her. He tries to make her proud like he was still six. It’s kind of sweet to watch her help him get ready for his big date.

The movie has a great supporting cast. Ray Liotta is stellar as Ronnie’s nemesis, a real cop who’s trying to solve the case. Michael Pena is phenomenal as Ronnie’s #2, his right hand in the crack team of rent-a-cops. Jesse Plemons (Landry from “Friday Night Lights”), Aziz Ansari (“Parks and Recreation”), and Patton Oswalt make effective cameos as well. This movie is so far outside lines that these actors relish the freedom that comes along with breaking all the rules in a film. “Observe and Report” was highly controversial when it came out because of a quasi-date rape scene and high levels of offensive language towards women and minorities.

In the end, it’s hard for me to tell how much I really liked this movie and how much I was just impressed by its subversive bravery. Additionally, I’ll be the first to admit I had pretty low expectations going in. It’s such homage to the annals of Hollywood that it’s hard to decide if it’s derivative or a Quentin Tarantino-esque film about a loser. I can tell you that I respected the repulsive moments and sickening violence much more than I felt in the half-hearted mess that was “Pineapple Express.” “Pineapple” refused to choose what kind of movie it was and ultimately failed, an uneven and unsatisfying movie with a decidedly superior first half. “Observe and Report” knew all along what it was and went for it without reservations. You have to respect that.

We never know what the filmmaker thought about Ronnie, but his indecision here seems purposeful. Does his success vindicate his insanity? More importantly, did the film work? All I know for sure is that when Ronnie finally triumphs, solving the case and getting the girl, he pumped his fist in the air a la “Breakfast Club” and I wanted to pump mine along with him. I won’t forget about you, Ronnie, and anyone who slams Patton Oswalt’s head into an oven door (hands down my favorite part of the movie) is A-OK with me.

Grade: B+