Due Date

Due Date, a 2010 American comedy film directed by Todd Phillips, is a wildly entertaining tale of misadventure and friendship which stars Robert Downey Jr. as Peter Highman and Zach Galifianakis as Ethan Tremblay. The story follows Peter, an expectant father in his mid-30s, who is preparing to meet the new addition to his family for the first time. Peter, desperate to be with his wife Sarah (Michelle Monaghan), must travel from Atlanta to Los Angeles in just five days, as his first child is due anytime. However, Peter's carefully laid plans get derailed when he is approached by a TSA officer, who informs him that his wallet and luggage have been stolen from the Atlanta airport. Matters take a turn for the worse when, on his subsequent phone calls, he is mistakenly reported as a suspect, placing him on the no-fly list. Feeling defeated, Peter must now search for alternative modes of transportation, all while struggling to come to terms with the impending arrival of his child. As fate would have it, Peter meets Ethan Tremblay, an eccentric and aimless actor, at the airport. Ethan, as awkward and clueless as he is charismatic and annoying, is a self-proclaimed 'actor' claiming to have a long list of credits to his name. Despite Peter's reservations, Ethan offers him a ride to Los Angeles, warning him that they will be making stops along the way. As they set off, Peter is hesitant at first, but soon comes to accept that he has no other choice but to put up with Ethan's antics. Ethan's charming yet off-putting optimism and Peter's growing desperation over being away from his wife create an entertaining seesaw of emotions, often mirroring their increasingly abrasive dynamic. Along the way, the duo faces a series of unimaginable obstacles. They get into a heated argument with a hitchhiker, Max (Jamie Foxx), who questions Ethan's acting talents, leading to a surreal series of bizarre incidents. Peter also becomes increasingly unhinged due to the long hours and seemingly endless traffic on the highway, further antagonizing his relationship with Ethan. Despite the chaos, however, Peter slowly starts to develop an appreciation for Ethan's enigmatic nature, acknowledging that beneath his quirks and exasperating reactions lies a fragile human being yearning for connection. Through his journey, Peter reflects on the complexities of fatherhood, assessing his readiness to accept the new role in his life. Their encounter in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where they visit Ethan's motel room, stands out as an absolute tour-de-force in comedic acting. The room with an infestation of rats, the bed covered with dirty linens, and Ethan's bizarre eccentricities, even including taking off his pants in a public diner, are utterly bonkers and establish Galifianakis as one of the most bizarre and captivating comedic talents in modern cinema. Throughout their grueling journey, Ethan's unpredictable behaviors present Peter with a rude awakening of life's unpredictability, making him realize that sometimes one must adapt in the face of turmoil, just as he eventually does when accepting Ethan as a valuable, if frustrating, companion. As they near Los Angeles, their journey reaches a boiling point, and Peter finally starts to crack under the pressure. An out-of-character rage leads him to berate Ethan for his shortcomings, venting years of pent-up anxiety. In response, Ethan exhibits his first authentic display of empathetic understanding, coming from the very place he has been refusing to admit all along. Due Date concludes with an unexpected dose of heart and introspection, as the complexities of Peter and Ethan's bond come to a fascinating close. Before saying goodbye, Peter and Ethan develop an unlikely sense of respect for each other, each changed by their eccentric and transformative encounter.