Stag night’s are a tradition that every man about to be married must undertake. Sometimes however they don’t go to plan, sometimes very bad things can happen. Kyle Fisher (Jon Favreau) is due to marry Laura Garrety (played by Cameron Diaz). His buddies Charles (Leland Orser), Michael (Jeremy Piven) and Adam (Daniel Stern) decide to take him to Vegas for a night out. The four guys head to Las Vegas for a night of drink, drugs and debauchery, all headed up by the borderline psychotic Robert Boyd (played to perfection by Christian Slater). Things go south however when Michael accidentally kills a prostitute whilst having sex. Rather than inform the authorities about the tragic accident, Boyd decides it will be better to cut up and get rid of the body instead. Things however, don’t go to plan.

Things go from bad to worse when hotel security attend the room the guys are staying in. Before any explanation can be given, Boyd kills the guard and the men are left with two bodies to get rid of. As the guys attempt to return to normality, things begin to spiral out of control as paranoia and fear sets in.

This film is the blackest of comedies. There are moments where you can’t believe you are laughing, but you find that you just can’t help it anyway. Christian Slater is fantastic as the insane Boyd, he steals every scene he is in with the fantastic delivery of his lines. It’s strange seeing Daniel Stern in a film like this after growing up watching him in Home Alone, he is great as the paranoid Adam, worrying the guys indiscretions will come to light. Jon Favreau is brilliant as the hen pecked Kyle, with Cameron Diaz brilliant as the selfish, spoilt Laura. Jeremy Piven is brilliant as the crazy, impulsive Michael and Leland Orser brings his neurotic shtick as Charles.

Peter Berg has been hit and miss when it comes to directing, with Hancock and Battleship being a waste of celluloid. He does well here and directs a wonderfully dark comedy that is well worth seeking out.

4/5

JM