# The Hangover

> 2009 film by Todd Phillips

**Wikidata**: [Q219315](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q219315)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hangover)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/the-hangover

## Summary
The Hangover is a 2009 American comedy film directed by Todd Phillips, known for its raunchy humor and unexpected plot twists. It stars Ed Helms, Bradley Cooper, and Zach Galifianakis, and follows a group of friends trying to piece together a wild night in Las Vegas. The film's success spawned a franchise with two sequels and grossed over $467 million worldwide.

## Key Facts
- **Release Date**: May 30, 2009 (Las Vegas), June 5, 2009 (US), July 23, 2009 (UK), June 17, 2009 (Australia)
- **Director**: Todd Phillips
- **Screenwriters**: Jon Lucas, Scott Moore
- **Starring**: Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, Heather Graham
- **Genre**: Comedy
- **Production Company**: Legendary Pictures, The Montecito Picture Company
- **Distributor**: Warner Bros. Pictures
- **Budget**: $35 million
- **Box Office**: $467.7 million
- **Runtime**: 100 minutes
- **Rating**: R (US), 18 (UK), MA 15+ (Australia)
- **Music**: Christophe Beck
- **Cinematography**: Lawrence Sher
- **Editing**: Debra Neil-Fisher
- **Awards**: MTV Movie Award for Best Comedic Performance (Ed Helms), People's Choice Award for Favorite Comedic Movie
- **Sequels**: The Hangover Part II (2011), The Hangover Part III (2013)
- **Wikipedia Sitelinks**: 53 language editions
- **Wikidata ID**: Q11424
- **IMDb ID**: tt1119646
- **Library of Congress Authority ID**: no2009147959
- **Rotten Tomatoes Score**: 79%
- **Metacritic Score**: 73/100
- **IMDb Rating**: 7.7/10

## FAQs
**What is the main plot of The Hangover?**  
The film follows Phil (Bradley Cooper), Stu (Ed Helms), Alan (Zach Galifianakis), and Doug (Justin Bartha) as they travel to Las Vegas for a bachelor party. After a night of heavy drinking, they wake up the next morning with no memory of the previous night and must find their missing friend before the wedding.

**Who are the key cast members?**  
The main cast includes Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, and Heather Graham, with Justin Bartha playing the groom Doug Billings.

**How was the film received critically and commercially?**  
The Hangover was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $467 million worldwide against a $35 million budget. It received positive reviews for its humor and performances, though some critics noted its raunchy content.

**What awards and nominations did the film receive?**  
The film won several awards, including the MTV Movie Award for Best Comedic Performance (Ed Helms) and the People's Choice Award for Favorite Comedic Movie. It also received nominations for a Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.

**What is the significance of the film's title?**  
The title refers to the characters' hangover after a night of heavy drinking in Las Vegas, which serves as the central plot device driving the story's mystery and humor.

**How does The Hangover relate to its sequels?**  
The film's success led to two sequels, The Hangover Part II (2011) and The Hangover Part III (2013), both directed by Todd Phillips. While the sequels followed similar premises, they received mixed reviews compared to the original.

## Why It Matters
The Hangover revitalized the adult comedy genre in the late 2000s, proving that R-rated comedies could achieve mainstream success. Its blend of outrageous humor, relatable characters, and clever plot structure influenced a wave of similar films and established Las Vegas as a popular setting for comedic movies. The film's financial success demonstrated the viability of mid-budget comedies in Hollywood, encouraging studios to invest in more adult-oriented content. Culturally, it became a touchstone for discussions about masculinity, friendship, and the consequences of excess, resonating with audiences worldwide.

## Notable For
- **Box Office Success**: Grossed over $467 million worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing R-rated comedies of all time.
- **Cultural Impact**: Popularized the "morning after" narrative in comedies and cemented Las Vegas's reputation as a party destination.
- **Career Launchpad**: Boosted the careers of Bradley Cooper and Ed Helms, establishing them as leading comedic actors.
- **Franchise Creation**: Spawned two sequels and inspired numerous imitators in the comedy genre.
- **Critical Acclaim**: Received positive reviews for its originality and performances, despite controversy over its content.
- **Awards and Recognition**: Won multiple awards, including an MTV Movie Award and a People's Choice Award.

## Body

### Production and Release
The Hangover was directed by Todd Phillips and written by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore. Produced by Legendary Pictures and The Montecito Picture Company, the film was distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. It premiered in Las Vegas on May 30, 2009, before its wide release in the US on June 5, 2009. The film's budget was $35 million, and it went on to gross $467.7 million globally, making it a commercial triumph.

### Cast and Characters
The film features a ensemble cast, including Bradley Cooper as Phil Wenneck, a teacher; Ed Helms as Dr. Stuart "Stu" Price, a dentist; Zach Galifianakis as Alan Garner, the eccentric brother of the groom; and Justin Bartha as Doug Billings, the groom. Heather Graham plays Jade, a stripper who marries Stu in a drunken ceremony. The chemistry among the cast members was widely praised, contributing to the film's success.

### Themes and Reception
The Hangover explores themes of friendship, masculinity, and the consequences of irresponsible behavior. Critics praised its humor, pacing, and performances, though some criticized its crude content. The film holds a 79% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 73/100 score on Metacritic, indicating "generally favorable reviews." Audiences also responded positively, giving the film an average grade of "A−" on CinemaScore.

### Music and Cinematography
The film's score was composed by Christophe Beck, with songs by artists like Kanye West and The Rolling Stones. Lawrence Sher's cinematography captured the vibrant, chaotic atmosphere of Las Vegas, enhancing the film's comedic tone. The editing by Debra Neil-Fisher was praised for maintaining a brisk pace that complemented the narrative's twists and turns.

### Legacy and Franchise
The Hangover's success led to two sequels, both directed by Phillips. The Hangover Part II (2011) and The Hangover Part III (2013) followed the characters on further misadventures but received mixed reviews. Despite this, the franchise remains a cultural phenomenon, symbolizing the excesses of Las Vegas and the enduring appeal of male friendship comedies. The original film's influence can be seen in later comedies like *Project X* (2012) and *21 & Over* (2013), which adopted similar premises and tones.

### Awards and Nominations
The film won the MTV Movie Award for Best Comedic Performance (Ed Helms) and the People's Choice Award for Favorite Comedic Movie. It was also nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, though it did not win. These accolades solidified its status as a landmark comedy of the 2000s.

### Cultural References and Impact
The Hangover popularized phrases like "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" and made the tiger in the bathroom a iconic symbol of the film's absurd humor. It also sparked debates about the portrayal of Las Vegas and the glorification of binge drinking. The film's influence extended beyond cinema, with its scenes and quotes frequently referenced in media and pop culture.

### Technical Specifications
- **Runtime**: 100 minutes
- **Rating**: R for pervasive language, sexual content, drug material, and some violence
- **Aspect Ratio**: 2.35:1
- **Sound Mix**: DTS, Dolby Digital, SDDS
- **Color**: Color
- **Film Gauge**: 35 mm

### Connected Entities
- **Director**: Todd Phillips, known for *Joker* (2019) and *Old School* (2003)
- **Screenwriters**: Jon Lucas and Scott Moore, who also wrote *Four Christmases* (2008)
- **Cast**: Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, and Heather Graham, all of whom gained significant recognition from the film
- **Production Company**: Legendary Pictures, which produced *Inception* (2010) and *Interstellar* (2014)
- **Distributor**: Warner Bros. Pictures, which distributed *The Dark Knight* trilogy and *Harry Potter* series

### Historical Context
Released during the late 2000s, The Hangover capitalized on a shift in Hollywood toward more adult-oriented comedies. Its success coincided with the rise of the "bromance" genre, which focused on male friendships and comedic misadventures. The film's portrayal of Las Vegas as a hub of debauchery also reflected and influenced public perceptions of the city during this period.

### Academic and Critical Analysis
The film has been studied in academic contexts for its representation of masculinity, consumerism, and the commodification of experience. Scholars have analyzed its use of Las Vegas as a symbol of American excess and its exploration of themes such as memory, identity, and responsibility. Despite its comedic tone, The Hangover has been recognized for its nuanced character development and social commentary.

## References

1. IMDb
2. [Source](http://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/hangover-film)
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9. Metacritic
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16. [Source](http://nmhh.hu/dokumentum/158984/2009_filmbemutatok_osszes.xls)
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