Good escapist entertainment is on offer with the new American film ‘Due Date’, directed by Todd Phillips from a story co-authored by Alan R Cohen and Alan Freedland.

The scenario sees Robert Downey Junior play highly strung father Peter Highman who needs to hook up on a cross country ride with aspiring actor Ethan Trembley, played by Zach Galifianakis, to get to the birth of his first child.

There are no surprises here, with the filmmakers applying an established road movie formula. The film felt a little like a later day version of the fine American comedy ‘Planes, Trains and Automobiles’ with Downey Junior playing the straight Steve Martin character and Galifianakis playing the flakey, very needy Candy character.

Typical road movie situations take place; they run out of money, sleep over in a car, they get mugged, there are car chases, one minute they’re getting on well, the next they want to strangle each other. Little lies become big ones…There are some great visuals…..There’s a struggle to make their destination on time…suspense builds up…Have you got the picture?

Summing up, ‘Due Date’ goes down a well travelled road, but the journey’s still lots of fun.