About the film (courtesy of 20th Century Fox):
When a mild-mannered Uber driver named Stu (Kumail Nanjiani) picks up a passenger (Dave Bautista) who turns out to be a cop hot on the trail of a brutal killer, he’s thrust into a harrowing ordeal where he desperately tries to hold onto his wits, his life and his five-star rating.
Kumail Nanjiani, Dave Bautista, their chemistry and a generous sprinkling of R-rated subject matter keeps Stuber from being a complete waste of time. 20th Century Fox seems to have gone all-in on this adult-oriented action comedy. Nanjiani was probably best known for his role in HBO’s Silicon Valley until he reached a the pinnacle of his acting career with the surprise hit The Big Sick (2017). Now that he’s no longer relegated to smaller supporting roles, it’ll be interesting to see what will transpire for Nanjiani’s career going forward.
Dave Bautista is another former professional wrestler that has transitioned nicely to the world of acting. While Bautista has yet to hit the upper echelon of bona fide action stars, his reoccurring role in the most successful franchise of all-time has made him extremely marketable. His macho, yet comedic persona is a quality that many wished they had.
Stuber allows these two actors on the rise to work towards reaching their potential by each playing off of their strengths. Buddy cop comedies are all the rage these days and this is no exception, even if one is just an Uber driver. The physical, verbal and situational comedy involved keeps the pace and a quick and enjoyable rate.
Joining this reluctant odd couple are Iko Uwais, Mira Sorvino, Betty Gilpin and Karen Gillan. Each of these supporting actors fit in nicely to the absurd storyline. Stuber is an over the top action comedy that’s not meant to be taken seriously. It’s only purpose is to make its audience laugh and enjoy the sill parts of life for 90 minutes or so. Don’t expect a deep masterpiece or a perfectly polished feature. This is not that kind of movie, but it also isn’t a stinker. I found Stuber to be fun, funny and even a bit touching. If you aren’t wanting to take on anything heavy and don’t mind things a little on the risque side, this is a great way to unwind and let off a little steam. You can see it in theaters now.
