I seldom write in to review a film, but I just want to give my two cents worth. This film is an absolute waste of time, depressing, poorly writen, and by the time the credits rolled, I found myself thinking, what was that? You see, I've never walked out on a film, without seeing it to completion, as I know sometimes things come together at the end, and I want to give it the benefit of the doubt, I will have to give that rule another look. Don't bother.
shareI agree.
My wife hated it so much, she wouldn't even talk to me for the rest of the night.
I rented it only because my wife is a huge Nicole Kidman fan and I thought she would like it.
Whoa! If a movie affects your marriage like that, it must be art!
I couldn't make it through this movie either even though I wanted to like it.
My wife hated it so much, she wouldn't even talk to me for the rest of the night.
Interesting, because I really, thoroughly enjoyed it! The characters were, although not necessarily likable, real, erratic, unpredictable and interesting to watch. I started watching it very late at night and fell asleep - I watched it again the next day and relished every minute. I was disappointed at the end only because I was sad that it was over. I would love to know what Nicole Kidman's character was thinking when she threw her bracelet on the floor at the restaurant and when she left her coat and purse to catch up with her son. I guess she didn't want to throw out her marriage after all?
shareThanks for the spoiler alert, beckibeetle.
shareI didn't think the movie was terrible (5/10), but I agree with the OP that it deserves significant criticism for simply feeling purposeless. There's obvious talent here, both in front of and behind the camera, but the characters are poorly conceived. As the film neared its end, I could sense some chemistry amongst the ensemble, but not enough to compensate for the bad material. It's as if we have these spiteful characters, particularly Kidman's, with their excessive flaws, and yet we continue to watch in the hope of some meaningful epiphany and a well-crafted conclusion. But that never came, and that's frustrating for the audience. The Squid and the Whale was much better.
shareI just got done watching this film- which I ALMOST bought on DVD a few months back but instead waited until it was on cable. WORST MOVIE EVER. Well, not ever, but it was awful! Miserable, no point and a waste of time. I am glad that it seems I am not the only one who shares this opinion. Don't buy it, don't watch it- even if you like the cast separately. This movie is as cold as a fish.
Amanda
"She was drunk or he was crazy."
i agree....a waste of 2 great actresses.
A bad screenplay.
Although I love Jack Black, especially as a funny actor, his crying scenes were laughable.
And what was Nicole's character horrified at when she looked into the crazy neighbors' house?
I agree I really liked squid and the whale but this movie just tried to be too unusual and weird and it didn't work and it left a lot of loose ends
shareFor the people who hated this movie, avoid the following:
Squid & the Whale
The Ice Storm
American Beauty
Revolutionary Road
Away We Go
Short Cuts
Magnolia
Igby Goes Down
Ghost World
About Schmidt
Sideways
Nearly every Woody Allen movie
Character-driven movies based on reality are not your thing. Fine. Stick with the movies that manipulatively fill in all blanks for you (Crash), or Avatar, or Transformers.
Dude means nice guy. Dude means a regular sort of person.
I completely disagree. I enjoyed each of the movies you mention that I've seen, including the squid and the whale which made this much more disappointing. The casting was poor and the story was weak.
Additionally, realism does not guarantee a good movie. I could put a camera on you all day and would have material for a realistic story and in all likelihood it still wouldn't be worth watching.
Not really. I didn't get the point of this movie, but American Beauty is my all time favorite.
share[deleted]
This is kinda shcocking. Found it absolutely fantastic. Pure real life with a lot of tragic humor. All the actors were fantastic and the story was extremely emotional.
Of course I love dark, depressing and mean-spirited films, and some, apparantly, don't.
Somebody here has been drinking and I'm sad to say it ain't me - Allan Francis Doyleshare
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Why is it a chore to get through? And it most definitely fits under the black comedy label, got several great laughs.
My 1000 favorite films - http://www.imdb.com/list/PkAV7BgvMJg