Could've Been So Much Better

Before I begin, let me just say this is just my opinion of the movie, it's just one opinion, and if YOU found it to be great, then...great. The more opinions, the better.

The heart of the film is Frank's rebellion, the newly-found impulses that govern his life, after his daily routine fails to make him happy. His "CHAOS THEORY". I feel like the writer(s) got lazy, and had no idea where to take this film after Frank has his epiphany, and that's why, in the end, he takes Susan back. I have no problem with Frank getting back with Susan (I personally feel he didn't need to) but the film does NOTHING to convince us, the audience, of why this is the right decision. They just throw out "Think of our child, Jesse!", and expect us to take the bait. Okay, he needs Jesse, but that doesn't necessarily mean he needs Susan.

The beginning and end are nothing but filler. Old Frank sitting down his future son-in-law at the beginning and end of the film is tacked on and forced. In essence, the audience is the son-in-law and the writers are *explaining* the moral of the story, rather than *showing* us.

Frank was a smart enough character to realize his relationship with Susan was built on a sh*t foundation. She all but proposed to Frank with, "I'm bored this year. I think I'll get married. Eeenie, meenie, meinie, Moe…Frank, you'll do." I realize in real life, relationships are not black and white. If they wanted to make the film more like real life, then the ending might be excusable, but when Frank gets into a dumb Looney Tunes fight with Buddy, the real life argument is bunk. Frank's intelligence was cast aside so the writers could lazily wrap up this film in a heartfelt ribbon.

I'm not saying the film had to make changes and channel "American Beauty" to be great, but it doesn't capitalize on its own potential and falls victim to uneven character rationale.