Review of Whiskey Tango Foxtrot (2016) by Pete S — 09 Mar 2016

What happened here? I don't even know where to start with this movie because it is just a giant mess. First off, it's so over long and really boring to the point that I was yawning because of the movie and not because I was tired.

Second, Tina Fey is just not being used to her full capacity here. A lot of comedians are experts at blending their comedic skills and dark dramatic skills but Fey hasn't really been able to captivate me as a dramatic actress.

She hinted at some strong possibilities with the mediocre This is Where I Leave You but just with that movie, dramadies just aren't Fey's thing. But even the more "comedic" moments were underwhelming because the writing of the comedic dialogue is so bland and forced.

Martin Freeman felt awkward and miscast here, Margot Robbie is completely wasted, Billy Bob Thornton is just getting phoned in "I'm better than you" type roles, and Alfred Molina is fine.

Christopher Abbott really impressed me almost unrecognizable as Fey's translator and it was nice to see Josh Charles pop up but his role is a thankless one. The action isn't very suspenseful, the comedy isn't really funny, the romance is very forced, and the drama is just boring.

It has some charming moments and Fey can hold her own in a weak movie but yeah, this is a misfire. I really really really wanted to love this but it just didn't work.