FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE YET TO SEE ME TIME, THIS IS A NON-SPOILER REVIEW.

Netflix’s new Kevin Hart and Mark Wahlberg movie Me Time has all of the makings of a slam-dunk comedy.  Two proven, charming leads, I Love You, Man and Meet the Parents writer/director John Hamburg at the helm, and a premise that could allow for a lot of hilarious hijinx.  But, something went terribly wrong here.  As this aimless and over-produced production drags on and on, all I could think was… this was a horrible waste of my own “Me Time”.

WHAT IS ME TIME ALL ABOUT?

The film follows a Dad who finds time for himself for the first time in years… While his wife and kids are away. He reconnects with an old friend for his 44th birthday, which leads to a wild weekend of self-discovery and debauchery.  

DOES THE MOVIE MAKE THE MOST OF ITS LEADS?

As I said prior, though this is as basic a plot as you’ve ever seen, it had the potential to lead to something hilarious and inspired.  I Love You, Man is a perfect example of taking a generic plot and mining comedy gold out of it through the talent of its leads.  And while I am a big fan of both Hart and Wahlberg, they are not able to bring this story to life in any way.  Rather it feels as if they are just here for a paycheck and sleeping through the whole affair.  In that regard, this movie reminds me a lot of the terrible Netflix movies that Adam Sandler has been behind, up until he starred in the wonderful Hustle, earlier this year.  Just another excuse to get some friends together and make a quick chunk of change.

IS ME TIME AT LEAST FUNNY?

I would love to say that at least Me Time was funny, but it fails there as well.  This is lowest-hanging-fruit comedy that juggles between raunchy, ridiculous and gross-out, with nothing in between.  I’ll admit that I did chuckle a few times throughout… But, with a film that has very little else to offer besides supposed laughs, that’s not a good sign of success.  The film is strung together by random set pieces of incredulous shenanigans, none of which are memorable or creative.  Hell, a lot of the story beats and character tropes are ripped right out of other Hart and Wahlberg comedies… and were pulled off much better in those films. The weirdest thing of all, is that Me Time seems to start at Level 100 and then slowly decreases in its energy until it has completely fizzled out.

IS THERE FUN TO BE HAD AT ALL?

At a painfully long 100 minutes, Me Time overstays its welcome by a good hour.  This is a single idea for a sketch, that is dragged along, until it’s completely beaten to death.  Though I think there might be some fun to be had here for a drunken movie night with the bros… I can’t see any other reason for this film to exist or for Netflix subscribers to endure it.  This is a career-low for both Hart and Wahlberg. And I truly hope they put more thought into their future comedy choices.  

Me Time will be streaming exclusively on Netflix August 26th, 2022.

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