No matter what our say so is, Hollywood shall push on with their remakes and re-boots. Some welcomed and some questionable. In “Downhill”, staring Will Ferrell and Julia Louise-Dreyfus the movie does just that, goes downhill thanks mostly to a sloppy script. In this remake of the 2014 “Force Majeure” we have a married couple Billie (Dreyfus) and Pete (Farrell) vacationing at a Swiss ski resort with their 2 sons, Julian Grey and Ammon Ford. They are a seemingly happy family about to enjoy an outdoor dining experience when a “controlled avalanche” spins them into a frenzy. Pete sees it coming, grabs his phone and without thinking about his wife and kids runs for cover.
When it’s over Pete reappears to a truck load of questions from Billie. he wasn’t thinking about her or the kids, just himself she accuses him of. He goes into denial and the drama begins with all the bickering to go along with it. He spends a lot of time texting his friend and eventually the families hook up much to the dissaproval of Billie who is still disgruntled with Pete. You can feel the uncomfortableness and can’t decide what side to take. Billie ventures out on a day trip solo style, winds up with a unplanned instructor and sexual tensions arise. Henceforth the ‘R’ rating. This could have been more of a romantic film if perhaps both given a better script. Directors Nat Faxon and Jim Rash just couldn’t match the orginal 2014 version “Force Majeure“. For extra added scenery a dolled up Mirando Otto as a tour guide is there for more complications. This vacation lasts for only 90 minutes so you can handle it on Valentines day when it opens wide with some greased up skis. 2 stars (out of 5)
