It is not hard to see the parallels with the 1987 hit movie ‘Planes, Trains and Automobiles’ that starred another mismatched duo in Steve Martin and John Candy in similar roles to Downey Jr and Galifianakis. I have to agree with the plethora of smug film reviewers that have pointed this out but disagree that this is just a pale imitator. In fact this film is light years from the cuddly feel-good syrupfest that was John Hughes’ road movie.

Yes it’s a simple concept and an overdone scenario, but hey, I love road movies and I enjoy comedies. This film often provides humour of the slapstick or gross-out kind, but there are also plenty of laughs thanks to a sparkling script and easy chemistry between the two leads. For example, below is a typical exchange between them:

Ethan Tremblay: ‘Holy Moses, it's like I'm traveling with a child!’

Peter Highman: ‘Have you used the restroom?’

Ethan Tremblay: ‘Good point, I need to take a pee-pee.’

Galifianakis basically reprises his role from ‘The Hangover’ but you can forgive him that because he is brilliant as the painfully naïve, deluded and accident prone Tremblay. Downey Jr proves he can cut it in comedy as well as drama and his portrayal of a stressed father to be with anger issues is totally on the mark. The situations they get in are familiar but I still found myself laughing out loud in the right places. Also look out for amusing cameos from Danny McBride, Juliette Lewis and Jamie Foxx.

For undemanding, lowbrow entertainment I can’t recommend this comedy enough.