MovieChat Forums > How to Be (2009) Discussion > Just finished watching it

Just finished watching it

posted 15 years ago by reeldramaqueen
11 replies | jump to latest

Loved it. I'm a Rpattz fan but his friends were so funny, especially Ronny with all "migraines" which sprang up conveniently when he was confronted with the possibility of going outside. And Nicky, too, with, "You've just got one of those faces you wanna hit."

On a deeper note, his parents are TERRIBLE. His mother annoyed me especially. How do you carry a child for nine months and then completely detach yourself from it after you have it? The scene where she wouldn't hug him was funny, but also incrediblyl sad. I mean, I get it after the scene where they talk about their family at the table and how Art reminds her of her brother, but still...seriously?

Anyway, four out of five stars.

Also is his mother meant to be American or was that bad acting, although she was otherwise good?

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[–] darcykerrigan 15 years ago

Well, the actress that played his mother is American and I'm guessing they just didn't bother having her fake an English accent. I wondered too, at first, why she was American in the movie. I just chalked it up to thinking there's no rule that says both of his parents have to be English, as there are plenty of Americans living and working in the UK. But obviously Art, being the product of these two parents, would still have an English accent since he grew up there.

But I honestly don't think the filmmakers but that much thought into it. For the record, I thought she did a great job with the character.

[–] SHOOThernick 15 years ago

ah, to clarify, i'm pretty sure somewhere in the movie Robert's character mentions that he was adopted, so his mother didn't necessarily carry him.

but yes, the scene where he's trying to hug her is so heartbreaking and so awkwardly funny at the same time. Art it such a lovable character. :)

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[–] LelouMe 15 years ago

ah, to clarify, i'm pretty sure somewhere in the movie Robert's character mentions that he was adopted, so his mother didn't necessarily carry him.

Him being adopted was a story he made up during the breakup scene with his girlfriend, he admitted he was lying being asked about it by Jessica.

[–] BAM_sixAM 15 years ago

I just finished watching this and I am surprised at what I saw. for some reason I wasnt expecting much but it was actually pretty funny and thought provoking! For example one of my favorite quotes has to come from Dr.Ellington when he said : " well, fine. thats all we are eventually, alone. if you can learn to accept that maybe you can go through life without being so disappointed in everyone. . it just stuck with me, i hit rewind to hear it again.

in addition, I praise Pattinson! I mean considering his biggest role to date is twilight, I am glad there's a piece like this out there showcasing his talent; showing that he can do so much more.

I for one, am glad to have seen this!

[–] jamendtea 15 years ago

i really liked this movie and i though robert actually acted out the part very well

[–] yloet 15 years ago

i agree. this is a gem of a movie. it really showcased rob pattinson's acting range and depths. you cannot help but feel his pain, in trying to get validation from his equally flawed parents, that he, indeed, is loved. but there were also parts in the movie that made me laugh out loud, a testament to pattinson's comedic abilities. kudos to the director!

i wasn't a fan before, although i have seen twilight and thought that he made a decent attempt in trying to portray an anguished, angsty, lonely vampire despite the boyish pouts (LOL). however, with How To Be ... i can safely say that he is one of the few very really talented actors of his generation (i should say multi-talented, as he is also a singer, composer and musician). i'm a fan now .... hope to see more of these kinds of films from him!

[–] phnoaty 15 years ago

the adoption story was made up. I saw it as Art's mother giving birth to him as another way she can "score points" against her brother. Our culture favors people who have children, and frowns upon those who don't--being the ambitious person Art's mom is, she probably decided to get married and have a kid to fit that standard. She does love Art and care about him, but she just doesn't know how to show this love because it seemed like she did not experience that unconditional positive regard in her family. Not to mention, she was struggling with the fact that Art reminded her of her older brother.

[–] fjmg_2003 14 years ago

Well I'm not a big fan of rob pattinson acting. I love the twilight movies but that's because I love the books. I just watch this movie because I was curious but I have to admit that I LOVE IT too. I wasn't expecting that much but Rob really suprise me in this movie. His acting was amazing. Art is such an adorable character and also the other character were very funny and lovely.

I think it is a great movie that have a good plot and characters!!!

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[–] DrmWmn 14 years ago

I'm a huge fan of Rob and this movie was a great example of his acting range. I loved him in The Haunted Airman, and though I love him as Edward, I feel a lot of people can't appreciate how great he is.

He kind of reminds me of Johnny Depp with how well he gets into and changes character.

I loved it when he tried to drink and smoke his cares away. And the "fighting" was just icing on the cake .

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[–] VAgirl 14 years ago

I just loved this movie. I am so glad it is out and people are watching it, because the Twilight movie scripts just don't showcase his talent as well as movies like this. I find it a mark of a really good actor, especially a really good looking one, my forgetting who the actor playing the part is during the movie. I mean, I stopped thinking this was a "Robert Pattinson" movie, and just enjoyed living with Art in his world for a while.

Rob really is a chameleon when he acts (which at least one Twilight actor commented on, he just "changes" in front of your eyes when he acts.) I actually saw the "How to Be" audition tapes on youtube before I saw this movie, and was hugely impressed with him. He just suddenly "changes", his face, his manner, you almost feel the mood in the room change, as he's just sitting there at a table auditioning for the part.

The other thing that impressed me, is that Rob knew that script down pat- he didn't read it a bit, yet flipped the pages at exactly the right time as he was acting it out with the actress. She was different, just not convincing acting (reading lines) and she was reading off the paper. It just impressed me that he was so prepared, and the way he flipped the pages, almost like he was making a statement to the Director that I am SO ON this-like throwing down the gauntlet.

He just impressed me in the audition tapes and the movie-- I think this guy is the real deal. A real talent. I look forward to his non-Twilight movies and future career.

And the fact that he's a really nice guy, and a hugely talented musician as well, well I just hope for a lot of success in his future.

[–] VAgirl 14 years ago

I gave my two cents just now, focused on Rob's acting.

But I also want to say that I think the script was really fine, and the use of music throughout very effective and enjoyable. His friends' acting was good as well.

And I remember well, the feeling one has after college, when you are in your early 20's not really having a clue about "what next", so, am I now supposed to know what to do with my life? And just having sense of boredom, wanting something to happen. I had an easier time than Art, but this movie really did capture this stage of life well.

For people with dysfunctional, non-loving families, I would imagine that portrayal may have worked as well.

Rob said there was some difficulty in marketing this movie-- it played well in festivals, but didn't have a big distribution, probably because of not being able to market effectively, finding it's niche.

So glad it's out there now. I really do try to talk it up among friends and family, and on Twitter.

Even my 13 year old found this really, really enjoyable. Thought a bit depressing, but she loved Art and his friends, found it very funny at times, and she thinks Rob is a good actor.