Hit and Run - C

Rated R, 100 minutes

 "Hit and Run" is quick, mindless and unmemorable fun

Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell

The new comedy “Hit and Run” is a guilty-pleasure trip that’s more fun if you don’t think about it too much.  The film is a labor of love for actor Dax Shepard (“Parenthood”), who directs, produces, co-writes, edits and co-stars in the film with real-life squeeze Kristen Bell of “Veronica Mars.” Shepard is a former getaway driver named Charlie Bronson (nice touch) now in Witness Protection who decides to move to Los Angeles with girlfriend Annie (Bell). Hot on their trail is Annie’s ex-boyfriend Gil (Michael Rosenbaum) and some angry ex-cohorts (Bradley Cooper, Joy Bryant) and Charlie’s bumbling buffoon of a US Marshal (Tom Arnold) assigned to him. “Hit and Run” is a mildly amusing, somewhat entertaining mix of romantic comedy and road trip film that mostly works due to the chemistry and charms of its real-life married leads. Some of the darker elements of the film, particularly in the last act, don’t work (most anything with Arnold) and a few jokes fall flat but overall it’s a surprisingly nimble, energetic effort. It may have limited appeal and may not garner a wide audience, but it could easily become a cult hit if it gets good word of mouth. Shepard is the driving force behind the film, and he’s assembled a solid cast, with a few hilariously brief performances by Cooper and cameos from a pill-popping Kristin Chenowith and fist-punching Beau Bridges (good to see).  “Hit and Run” also has a nice, souped up black Lincoln that makes an unfortunate exit midway through the film. Mostly mindless fun and unmemorable in the long run, but “Hit and Run” is entertaining in a flash.