People who divorce each other usually leave the marriage feeling hostile and in pain. The Bounty Hunter piggybacks on that theme – but with an emphasis on comedy. Gerard Butler and Jennifer Aniston are great fun to watch as an ex-husband and his ex-wife who find themselves thrust together again in a unique situation. She’s chasing a big story; he’s chasing her; and both are chased by the bad guys. It’s a fast-paced, action-packed romantic comedy – and I’m surprised at how much I enjoyed it, especially after seeing those underwhelming previews. 

Milo Boyd (Butler), a former policeman, now earns his livelihood as a bounty hunter. Unfortunately, he owes a large sum of money to cover his unsuccessful gambling bets. When Milo discovers that his next job involves bringing in Nicole Hurley (Aniston), he jumps for joy. Nicole is his ex-wife, so he can hardly believe his luck. He’s still very angry about the divorce. It seems Nicole, an ambitious reporter, was involved in a traffic violation and missed her court date to cover an important murder story. How will she react to Milo’s revelation about being the bounty hunter out to make sure she goes to jail? You’re right. The chase is on!    

Director Andy Tennant (Hitch) understands the pacing needed for a rollicking story like this and makes the most of it; Sarah Thorp’s (Twisted) amusing screenplay highlights the push-pull dynamics between the main characters; and there’s just enough slapstick to satisfy most comedy fans.

I think the romance succeeds so well here because there are a lot of other things going on. But the sizzling chemistry between Butler (Dear Frankie) and Aniston (Marley & Me) also helps. Both actors give in to the spirit of the film; they are not afraid to show their funny sides or to appear in humiliating situations. Butler is hilarious in an elevator scene that requires amusing body language but no dialogue, and Aniston’s changing facial expressions reveal Nicole’s confusion about her real feelings toward her ex, especially during a dinner sequence at an inn called “Cupid’s Cabin.” I can’t help wishing for this intriguing duo to be paired in additional films.

Among the supporting actors, Christine Baranski (Mamma Mia!) stands out as Nicole’s sexy, flamboyant mother, and the droll Siobhan Fallon (New in Town) made me smile every time she came on camera -- which I admit wasn’t nearly enough.  

Will Nicole and Boyd work out their differences and get back together? Despite all its fast-paced action, The Bounty Hunter is a romantic comedy at heart, so I’m sure you can guess  the answer to that question.  

(Released by Columbia Pictures and rated “PG-13” for sexual content including sexual comments, language and some violence.)

For more information about this film, go to the Internet Movie Data Base or Rotten Tomatoes website.