Follow TV Tropes

Following

History Film / ObserveAndReport

Go To

OR

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* SchlubbyScummySecurityGuard:
** Ronnie is a bipolar and delusional security guard who [[BlackComedyRape has sex with Brandi while she's blackout drunk]], has violent fantasies, and wants to be a cop.
** Dennis, Ronnie's colleague, is a BigBadFriend who persuades Ronnie to take drugs and to assault skateboarders, revealing that he's also the person who's been stealing from the mall.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


%%* BlackAndGrayMorality
%%* BigBadFriend: [[spoiler:Dennis]]

to:

%%* BlackAndGrayMorality
%%*
* BlackAndGrayMorality: Nearly to EvilVsEvil levels. Ronnie is a ''seriously'' disturbed man who should not be anywhere near a gun, but he does legitimately want to be a good guy. In the meantime, he's fighting against a serial flasher.
*
BigBadFriend: [[spoiler:Dennis]][[spoiler:Dennis is a supportive friend to Ronnie. Said support involves manipulating Ronnie into beating up children and taking heroin. He also regularly robs the mall.]]



* DirtyCop: Ronnie and Harrison were this in spades.

to:

* DirtyCop: Ronnie and Harrison were falls into this by leaving Ronnie to die in spades.the worst part of town just because he personally disliked him. [[spoiler:He also has sex with Brandi, one of the flasher's victims.]] [[spoiler:Dennis, Ronnie's fellow mall cop, encourages Ronnie to beat up children and take drugs, while also stealing from the mall.]]



* HeWhoFightsMonsters: Ronnie.

to:

* HeWhoFightsMonsters: Ronnie.The more Ronnie puts into catching the flasher, the more violent and unhinged he becomes. [[spoiler:Dennis eventually persuades Ronnie to beat up children and take drugs, turning Ronnie into a full-blown criminal.]]



* RabidCop: Ronnie himself.

to:

* RabidCop: Ronnie himself.is a very violent and delusional mall cop.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Not So Different has been renamed, and it needs to be dewicked/moved


* NotSoDifferent
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* PowerFantasy: As part of his psych eval, the assigned case worker asks Ronnie -- who's already admitted to having unmedicated bipolar disorder and wanting to "destroy some motherfuckers" -- why he wants to be a police officer. Ronnie tells her that, "most nights", he has a recurring dream where a evil black cloud made of cancer sweeps over an idyllic playground and begins hurting all the children, until Ronnie steps up with a giant shotgun and starts doing "God's work" by indiscriminately blowing it away; [[DreamSue afterwards, a grateful world gathers at his feet, looks up, and thanks him, to which he humbly responds that it's just his duty as a cop]]. Ronnie seems to think that this is inspiring, instead of a sign that [[GlorySeeker he's a psychotic and potentially dangerous man with a hero complex]], who shouldn't be anywhere ''near'' a gun or a position of authority.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* MusicalusInterruptus: The movie has a strange habit of playing loud music over a scene, and then immediately cut to the next scene with the music suddenly stopping (often times with loud dialogue in the next scene). It comes to a head when Ronnie shoots the flasher, and a cover version of Music/ThePixies' "Where Is My Mind?" suddenly stops with no scene transition.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Only Child Syndrome got a Trope Transplant to be about "traits of only children"


* OnlyChildSyndrome: Ronnie.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* KnightTemplar: Ronnie had way too much abuse of authority in his hands.

to:

* KnightTemplar: Ronnie had way too much abuse of authority in takes his hands.job a little ''too'' seriously.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None



to:

[[caption-width-right:300:... Because it's full of people like Ronnie Barnhardt.]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


''Observe and Report'' (2009) is a ''very'' dark comedy written/directed by [[Series/EastboundAndDown Jody Hill]] and starring Creator/SethRogen as a bipolar, delusional mall security guard who becomes obsessed with catching a flasher. Being released three months after the [[ComedyGhetto PG-rated]] ''Film/PaulBlartMallCop'', the films have drawn inevitable [[DuelingMovies comparisons]] to each other.

to:

''Observe and Report'' (2009) is a ''very'' dark comedy written/directed by [[Series/EastboundAndDown Jody Hill]] and starring Creator/SethRogen as a bipolar, delusional mall security guard who becomes obsessed with catching a flasher, coming into conflict with a detective (Creator/RayLiotta) also trying to capture the flasher. Being released three months after the [[ComedyGhetto PG-rated]] ''Film/PaulBlartMallCop'', the films have drawn inevitable [[DuelingMovies comparisons]] to each other.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* ClusterFBomb: This movie is ''loaded'' with these. One example includes Ronnie and Saddamn (an Indian clerk who is harassed constantly by Ronnie due to his heritage) engaging in an argument consisting of nothing of "fuck you's", which grow quiet until they are mouthing the insults to each other.
* CurbStompBattle: Ronnie vs. 6 crackheads. They're able to touch him ''once.''

to:

* ClusterFBomb: This movie is ''loaded'' with these. One example includes Ronnie and Saddamn (an Indian clerk who is harassed constantly by Ronnie due to his heritage) engaging in an argument consisting of nothing of "fuck you's", you"'s, which grow quiet until they are they're mouthing the insults to each other.
* CurbStompBattle: Ronnie vs. 6 six crackheads. They're able to touch him ''once.''
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/observe_and_report1.jpg]]

to:

[[quoteright:350:https://static.[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/observe_and_report1.jpg]]



''Observe and Report'' (2009) is a ''very'' dark comedy written/directed by [[Series/EastboundAndDown Jody Hill]] and starring Seth Rogen as a bipolar, delusional mall security guard who becomes obsessed with catching a flasher. Being released 3 months after the [[ComedyGhetto PG-rated]] ''Film/PaulBlartMallCop'', the films have drawn inevitable [[DuelingMovies comparisons]] to each other.

to:

''Observe and Report'' (2009) is a ''very'' dark comedy written/directed by [[Series/EastboundAndDown Jody Hill]] and starring Seth Rogen Creator/SethRogen as a bipolar, delusional mall security guard who becomes obsessed with catching a flasher. Being released 3 three months after the [[ComedyGhetto PG-rated]] ''Film/PaulBlartMallCop'', the films have drawn inevitable [[DuelingMovies comparisons]] to each other.other.

Added: 26

Removed: 25

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* BrainlessBeauty: Brandi


Added DiffLines:

* BrainlessBeauty: Brandi.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* Or what if Paul Blart was a borderline VillainProtagonist?

to:

* ** Or what if Paul Blart was a borderline VillainProtagonist?
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* Or what if Paul Blart was a borderline VillainProtagonist?
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* EveryoneHasStandards: Ronnie is by no means a good person but even he draws the line in making fun of the handicapped. Him intimidating Nell's boss because he was bullying her was Ronnie's rare hero moment.


Added DiffLines:

* PetTheDog: Ronnie's interactions with Nell managed to bring out a human side of him.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* SpiritualAntithesis: The film can be served as a deconstruction of ''Film/PaulBlartMallCop''. If Blart wasn't a lovable schlub but a delusional sociopath.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Formatting


* BlackComedy: This film is the answer to the question "What if ''Film/TaxiDriver was a comedy?"

to:

* BlackComedy: This film is the answer to the question "What if ''Film/TaxiDriver ''Film/TaxiDriver'' was a comedy?"
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


''Observe and Report'' (2009) is a ''very'' dark comedy written/directed by [[Series/EastboundAndDown Jody Hill]] and starring Seth Rogen as a bipolar, delusional mall security guard who becomes obsessed with catching a flasher. Being released 3 months after the [[ComedyGhetto PG-rated]] ''PaulBlartMallCop'', the films have drawn inevitable [[DuelingMovies comparisons]] to each other.

to:

''Observe and Report'' (2009) is a ''very'' dark comedy written/directed by [[Series/EastboundAndDown Jody Hill]] and starring Seth Rogen as a bipolar, delusional mall security guard who becomes obsessed with catching a flasher. Being released 3 months after the [[ComedyGhetto PG-rated]] ''PaulBlartMallCop'', ''Film/PaulBlartMallCop'', the films have drawn inevitable [[DuelingMovies comparisons]] to each other. other.



* ShoutOut: Ronnie's brawl with the police is choreographed like the football-themed brawl in ''Film/FlashGordon'', and features the same music.

to:

* ShoutOut: Ronnie's brawl with the police is choreographed like the football-themed brawl in ''Film/FlashGordon'', ''Film/{{Flash Gordon|1980}}'', and features the same music.

Added: 70

Changed: 2

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* OnlyChildSyndrome: Ronnie
* PaperThinDisguise: Ronnie tries to go undercover to catch the flasher. No one is fooled.

to:

* OnlyChildSyndrome: Ronnie
Ronnie.
* PaperThinDisguise: Ronnie tries to go undercover to catch the flasher. No one is fooled.
-->'''Saddamn:''' Fuck you, Ronnie! Nice hat, you stupid motherfucker!
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Do not spoiler tag trope names on work pages or the names of works on trope pages; please see Handling Spoilers for more information.


* BlackAndGrayMorality
* [[spoiler:BigBadFriend: Dennis]]

to:

* %%* BlackAndGrayMorality
* [[spoiler:BigBadFriend: Dennis]]%%* BigBadFriend: [[spoiler:Dennis]]

Added: 65

Changed: 12

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* BlackComedyRape: Brandi is possibly blackout drunk yet Ronnie has no qualms with having sex with her. CrossesTheLineTwice when she asks, "Why are you stopping, motherfucker?"

to:

* BlackComedyRape: Brandi [[spoiler:Brandi is possibly blackout drunk yet Ronnie has no qualms with having sex with her. CrossesTheLineTwice when she asks, "Why are you stopping, motherfucker?"motherfucker?"]]


Added DiffLines:

* SlidingScaleOfIdealismVsCynicism: ''Far'' down the cynical end.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* BlackComedy: The film is essentially ''TaxiDriver'' made funny.

to:

* BlackComedy: The This film is essentially ''TaxiDriver'' made funny.the answer to the question "What if ''Film/TaxiDriver was a comedy?"
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


-->-- '''Det. Nichols''', ''Observe and Report''

''Observe and Report'' (2009) is a ''very'' dark comedy starring Seth Rogen as a delusional mall security guard who becomes obsessed with catching a flasher. Being released 3 months after the [[ComedyGhetto PG-rated]] ''PaulBlartMallCop'', the films have drawn inevitable [[DuelingMovies comparisons]] to each other.

to:

-->-- '''Det. Nichols''', ''Observe and Report''

a quote that sums up the movie pretty well.

''Observe and Report'' (2009) is a ''very'' dark comedy written/directed by [[Series/EastboundAndDown Jody Hill]] and starring Seth Rogen as a bipolar, delusional mall security guard who becomes obsessed with catching a flasher. Being released 3 months after the [[ComedyGhetto PG-rated]] ''PaulBlartMallCop'', the films have drawn inevitable [[DuelingMovies comparisons]] to each other.

Added: 92

Changed: 13

Removed: 92

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* CloudCuckooLander: Deconstructed as sane people consider Ronnie a delusional person and try to avoid him for it.

to:

* CloudCuckooLander: {{Cloudcuckoolander}}: Deconstructed as sane people consider Ronnie a delusional person and try to avoid him for it.



* DamselInDistress: What Ronnie considers Brandi. Nell is also in need of some manly backup.



* DistressedDamsel: What Ronnie considers Brandi. Nell is also in need of some manly backup.



* KarmaHoudini: Much like in ''TaxiDriver,'' Ronnie narrowly escapes punishment for his crimes by managing to become a hero at the last minute. Also, [[spoiler: Dennis robs the mall frequently, gets Ronnie to beat kids for skateboarding on mall property, and ends up knocking Ronnie out and stealing a car to flee. The last we hear of him has him partying in Mexico.]]

to:

* KarmaHoudini: Much like in ''TaxiDriver,'' ''Film/TaxiDriver,'' Ronnie narrowly escapes punishment for his crimes by managing to become a hero at the last minute. Also, [[spoiler: Dennis robs the mall frequently, gets Ronnie to beat kids for skateboarding on mall property, and ends up knocking Ronnie out and stealing a car to flee. The last we hear of him has him partying in Mexico.]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* [[spoiler:BigBadFriend: Dennis]]


Added DiffLines:

** [[spoiler: Ronnie annoys Harrison for a day and in return Harrison leaves Ronnie to get murdered by drug dealers.]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* DuelingMovies: This film and ''Paul Blart Mall Cop'', created completely independently, as most dueling films are.



* PlayingAgainstType: While Rogen has played jerks before, he earned his fame playing likable schlubs. Many viewers expected Ronnie to be along a similar line, rather than the seriously disturbed man that he is.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Having sex with someone when they\'re too drunk is always rape.


* BlackComedyRape: Brandi is possibly blackout drunk yet Ronnie has no qualms with having sex with her. CrossesTheLineTwice when she asks, "Why are you stopping, motherfucker?" Though due to Ronnie's state of mind and Brandi's sexual appetite, whether or not it was rape is debatable.

to:

* BlackComedyRape: Brandi is possibly blackout drunk yet Ronnie has no qualms with having sex with her. CrossesTheLineTwice when she asks, "Why are you stopping, motherfucker?" Though due to Ronnie's state of mind and Brandi's sexual appetite, whether or not it was rape is debatable.motherfucker?"
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


** "Why the fuck would I blow up Chick-Fil-A?! It's fucking delicious!"

Added: 71

Changed: 318

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* ClusterFBomb: "Why the fuck would I blow up Chick-Fil-A?! It's fucking delicious!"

to:

* ClusterFBomb: This movie is ''loaded'' with these. One example includes Ronnie and Saddamn (an Indian clerk who is harassed constantly by Ronnie due to his heritage) engaging in an argument consisting of nothing of "fuck you's", which grow quiet until they are mouthing the insults to each other.
**
"Why the fuck would I blow up Chick-Fil-A?! It's fucking delicious!"
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

[[quoteright:350:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/observe_and_report1.jpg]]

->''"I thought this was gonna be funny, but instead it's just kinda sad."''
-->-- '''Det. Nichols''', ''Observe and Report''

''Observe and Report'' (2009) is a ''very'' dark comedy starring Seth Rogen as a delusional mall security guard who becomes obsessed with catching a flasher. Being released 3 months after the [[ComedyGhetto PG-rated]] ''PaulBlartMallCop'', the films have drawn inevitable [[DuelingMovies comparisons]] to each other.
----
!!This film includes examples of:

* AlphaBitch: Brandi through and through.
* BackUpTwin: Discussed. "If one of you died, God sent me another."
* BrainlessBeauty: Brandi
* BlackComedy: The film is essentially ''TaxiDriver'' made funny.
* BlackComedyRape: Brandi is possibly blackout drunk yet Ronnie has no qualms with having sex with her. CrossesTheLineTwice when she asks, "Why are you stopping, motherfucker?" Though due to Ronnie's state of mind and Brandi's sexual appetite, whether or not it was rape is debatable.
* BlackAndGrayMorality
* CloudCuckooLander: Deconstructed as sane people consider Ronnie a delusional person and try to avoid him for it.
* ClusterFBomb: "Why the fuck would I blow up Chick-Fil-A?! It's fucking delicious!"
* CurbStompBattle: Ronnie vs. 6 crackheads. They're able to touch him ''once.''
* DarkerAndEdgier than ''Paul Blart: Mall Cop'', in no small part due to being BloodierAndGorier.
* DirtyCop: Ronnie and Harrison were this in spades.
* DisproportionateRetribution:
** [[spoiler:Ronnie shoots the flasher in the chest. Sure, he's a flasher, but gunfire is a bit much for such a petty criminal. He doesn't die and is duly arrested, though.]]
** Ronnie might be a jerk and a hindrance, but [[spoiler:Det. Harrison going out of his way to personally inform Ronnie that he failed the psychological test to become a police officer and the enjoyment he got from seeing Ronnie's dream crushed was just cruel. One of his fellow pranksters even calls him on it, saying it's "just sad."]]
* DistressedDamsel: What Ronnie considers Brandi. Nell is also in need of some manly backup.
* DuelingMovies: This film and ''Paul Blart Mall Cop'', created completely independently, as most dueling films are.
* FauxAffablyEvil: [[spoiler:Dennis seems to be a quiet-natured and supportive friend who genuinely believes he can help Ronnie... by getting him to steal, beat up kids and take heroin. Even after betraying Ronnie, he sends a friendly postcard.]]
* GoodIsNotNice: Ronnie and Harrison.
* HeroAntagonist: Det. Harrison is just a cop trying to bust a flasher and butting heads with a seriously deranged mall cop, but he's also such a sleazebag that he manages to stay pretty firmly in the villain category.
* HeroicWannabe: Ronnie himself wants to do just about anything to be a heroic cop.
* HeWhoFightsMonsters: Ronnie.
* HystericalWoman: Brandi after the flasher exposes himself to her
* InsultBackfire: When Ronnie calls Brandi out on her promiscuous ways after she thanks him for rescuing her from the flasher. Just watch her reaction when Ronnie points her out as one who will stab you in the back by ''screwing'' your enemies.
* {{Jerkass}}: Ronnie, Brandi and Harrison are all real jerks. In particular, Saddamn (see quote above in ClusterFBomb).
* KarmaHoudini: Much like in ''TaxiDriver,'' Ronnie narrowly escapes punishment for his crimes by managing to become a hero at the last minute. Also, [[spoiler: Dennis robs the mall frequently, gets Ronnie to beat kids for skateboarding on mall property, and ends up knocking Ronnie out and stealing a car to flee. The last we hear of him has him partying in Mexico.]]
* KnightTemplar: Ronnie had way too much abuse of authority in his hands.
* LadyDrunk: Ronnie's mom.
* TheMall: Where Ronnie is the head of security.
* MilesGloriosus: Subverted. Ronnie appears to be an example, until he unleashes a CurbStompBattle on some hoods.
* MommasBoy: Ronnie. Never really explained whether he lives with his mom or she with him.
* MuggingTheMonster: Some drug dealers try to victimize Ronnie when he's dropped off in their hood. Even the audience doesn't realize how crazy violent he is until this point.
* NiceJobFixingItVillain: Even if you [[AlternativeCharacterInterpretation don't consider Ronnie to be a good guy]], what he does to Nell's boss and coworker qualifies as "two wrongs making a right".
* NoMedicationForMe: Ronnie abruptly decides to go off his meds.
* NotSoDifferent
* OnlyChildSyndrome: Ronnie
* PaperThinDisguise: Ronnie tries to go undercover to catch the flasher. No one is fooled.
* PlayingAgainstType: While Rogen has played jerks before, he earned his fame playing likable schlubs. Many viewers expected Ronnie to be along a similar line, rather than the seriously disturbed man that he is.
* RabidCop: Ronnie himself.
* SecretTestOfCharacter: What Ronnie believes being left at "the crossroads" was.
* ShoutOut: Ronnie's brawl with the police is choreographed like the football-themed brawl in ''Film/FlashGordon'', and features the same music.
* StalkerWithACrush: Ronnie to Brandi.
* StoodUp: What Brandi tried to do to Ronnie. Subverted when he waits outside her house for hours until she arrives and convinces her to still go out with him.
* ThrowingOffTheDisability: Nell, towards the end, though she was never truly disabled; she was just recovering from surgery.
----

Top