‘Hot Pursuit’ is a waste of talented cast

As I watched the new film “Hot Pursuit,” I had to remind myself that Reese Witherspoon was nominated for an Academy Award just last year for her performance in “Wild.” Then I recalled the 2005 Oscar for her portrayal of June Carter Cash in “Walk the Line.”

Then my focus returned to this gifted actress starring as Cooper, a bumbling, by-the-book police officer assigned to transport witnesses to help bring down an infamous drug lord.

I think I audibly sighed.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I love Witherspoon in lighter fare. I‘m a big fan of “Sweet Home Alabama,” for example. But "Hot Pursuit" just isn’t very good.

Sofia Vergara is the other half of what ends up being an odd-couple duo forced to rely on each other to survive. And in fairness, there are some funny moments that actually work.

Vergara stars as the very sexy Daniella Riva, half of the husband-and-wife duo scheduled to testify in Dallas. The law requires that a female officer escort her, but that’s easier said than done. Before Cooper and her male partner can even get the reluctant and paranoid witnesses out of their house, two sets of hitmen take out Daniella’s husband and kill Cooper’s partner.

What to do? Cooper tries to stay calm and carries on — kind of.

What follows is a cross-country odyssey that feels like it’s coast-to-coast, but in reality we’re dealing with what should have been a relatively short three-hour drive. If this were a stereotypical “guy” partnership, I’d describe the sketchy and crass comedy as tree house humor. Since it’s a female partnership, I’m not sure what term to use, but the principal is the same. Far too often the laughs rely on sexual or bodily function subject matter.

Too bad. Both of these actresses are above that.

The plot is paint by numbers with very little that is original. Expect corruption and you’ll get it. Expect double crosses and you’ll get it. Expect a great movie and you’d better buy a different ticket.

I’m sounding like a Grinch, but when you have this kind of talent and these results, it’s disappointing.

“Hot Pursuit” gets a generous 2 ½ stars and is rated PG-13.