Plot: What’s it about?
The general consensus between a group of friends is that Ward’s wife in not a very likeable person. Unlikeable is something of an understatement as some of the friends talk about killing her. It starts off as a joke, but one friend, David (Patrick Wilson) is fairly certain he wants to go through with it. The film doesn’t attempt to make Ward’s wife, Stacy (Dagmara Dominczik) the least bit likeable. This was probably a deliberate decision since she was to be killed off relatively early in the film. I won’t reveal plot specifics since part of the fun is discovering for yourself. After Ward’s wife is killed, what we get are a series of close encounters and many scenes of the friends trying to dispose of the body. Donald Faison plays Ward and even he shows little hesitation when there’s talk of killing his wife.
Similarities between this film and other dark comedies such as Very Bad Things and even Horrible Bosses will probably come to mind, but I still find the film mildly enjoyable. It’s is a very dark premise indeed, but everything else is kept light and loose. There’s a small subplot involving a cop who just so happens to live next door to one of the characters. He tends to be nosy and there’s a moment or two where we think he may be onto something. I predicted a minor twist late in the story involving him as well. While some viewers may be turned off by the very premise of the film (that’s easy to see since it is rather dark), it may surprise you if you give it a chance. The cast definitely helps liven the material, especially Patrick Wilson who has some amusing moments. It might not be something I watch over and over, but the film is worth checking out for fans of dark comedies.
Video: How’s it look?
The early moments of the film seemed a bit duller than I’m accustomed to. It didn’t last throughout, but for a film set in a sunny location, I expected a bit more pop. Otherwise, the transfer is fine. The print shows no flaws and details were consistently strong. So, aside from the early moments and not being quite as bright as I’d like, there’s little else to complain about here. The image is AVC encoded with a 2.35:1 ratio.
Audio: How’s it sound?
We get a solid DTS HD track. It’s neither remarkable nor weak. It simply does its job. The film isn’t really one to show off your system, but it works fine as is. The rears kick in here and there and vocals never showed any issues. Fans will be pleased.
Supplements: What are the extras?
- Outtakes – These last for almost 3 ½ minutes and include some decent material, but nothing I need to see again.
- Previews
The Bottom Line
It won’t be for everyone, but Let’s Kill Ward’s Wife is a decent enough way to pass the time. Fans of dark comedies should check it out. It’s much better than I was expecting, and moves at a nice pace. Rent it.
