MovieChat Forums > Better Living Through Chemistry (2014) Discussion > WHAT A HUGE FKNG MESS OF A FILM!

WHAT A HUGE FKNG MESS OF A FILM!

posted 10 years ago by wrongview
20 replies | jump to latest

Extremely p!ss-poor directing with a very unimaginative style. Might as well have been a daytime soap opera director, also the film's drug use and drug knowledge and how they show the drug use have all been done so much better before, like Requiem for a Dream for example. My last massive complaint is that the film has voice-over narration from Jane Fonda quite literally throughout the ENTIRE FILM. It's as if Jane is reading the entire screenplay to us regardless of the fact that the visuals do an adequate job of explaining back story and character development.

The one thing this film has going for it is some humorous moments and some fine actors and actresses gracing this production and I'm just so sorry for everyone involved that they ended up with such poor direction and cinematography.

Worth a watch if you want to see how not to make a film and are completely bored with life. That is all.

[–] everydays 10 years ago

I just watched this on a whim. I agree with much of what you said, the basic plot has been done before, but I enjoyed the film as a whole. I thought Sam Rockwell was great, and there were some great laughs, especially the bike race.

[–] wrongview 10 years ago

For sure, Sam can do no wrong in my eyes and Olivia played a GREAT drunken and doped up suburban housewife. Michelle Monaghan should also get a strong mention, she's on a roll now with great performances with this and True Detective, but JESUS was this film poorly constructed. This was about as styleless and paint by numbers as a movie can get. The director could've used a little aesthetics and taste or perhaps paid attention in film school to the auteur classics in order to develop any sense of original style whatsoever.

So I guess I take it back, you should watch this for two reasons, great acting performances, and how not to make a movie. The voiceover narration quite literally ruins moments on screen. Utterly unnecessary and nonsensical and a huge no-no for modern film unless you're doing a literary "the notebook" or "breaking the waves" type of film and this was clearly not it.

[–] flickfix 10 years ago

I agree with you.

The two leads were SO entertaining and fun. But the film is a mess.

From major issues like needless narration, cliche subplots of dad becoming a friend to his kid, to detail stuff like editing. Like when Sam left Olivia's house, he then enters his home, using the same lens. It looked like he just had kissed Olivia in one room, then went to the kitchen to talk to his wife. And so on.

Even with scripts aside, the film is pretty dumb in execution. For example, it would have been better if the entire stint with his son was omitted, and we go from him saying he know a perfect place to practice ninja weapons, and cut directly to next day of his own store being vandalized. And details like Olivia's husband needing to explain to Sam why he isn't dead is pain just ridiculous. The delivery guy died, it's obvious Mr. Roberts didn't get his prescription, we got it the very second that DEA told Sam he is in the clear, that these things happen, blah, blah. That means someone other than Sam had been taking inventory, and that means that delivery guy died, and that means Mr. Roberts didn't get his medication. This isn't a Disney Kids TV show. Then again, this film has so many problems that even a whole bunch of improvements or changes won't have saved it.

If this film had mediocre actors in it, people would see how painfully bad this film truly is.

I hope Sam and Olivia make another film together. They are just too fun to watch. If the film had 90% of it capitalizing on Sam not knowing what he's doing whenever he's with Olivia, and cut the rest of the crap, it would have been awesome.

[–] addison 10 years ago

The only visual treat (other the Olivia Wilde) are the opening sequence. Nothing extraordinary, but at least there's some elaboration on it.

[–] hasbanyp 10 years ago

Here's a suggestion. You direct ANY next film. I'm sure you could do a better job. Oh that's right, you aren't a director. I guess LA won't be calling you anytime soon.

[–] micpl 10 years ago

What about the President? Can I criticize the President or do I have to become one first to earn that right?

[–] ClintJCL 10 years ago

Haha. You got him goooood!

-ClintJCL
http://clintjcl.wordpress.com/category/reviews/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/clintjcl

[–] rabbitmoon 10 years ago

This is the stupidest comment I've read on the internet about anything, probably this year.

[–] ajmal-m 10 years ago

criticizing the right to criticize. ironic much?

[–] zzzombies 10 years ago

*beep* you I know the director

[–] 10 years ago

[deleted]

[–] rabbitmoon 10 years ago

Shouldn't that be directors? If you honestly do, can you ask them how on earth they bribed such good talent to be in their film, even after reading the dreadful screenplay which wouldn't look out of place as a sixth former's media homework?

[–] 10 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Rena_Mahone 10 years ago

I agree with you; if it wasn't for the great cast, this movie would be pretty much worthless. Sam Rockwell was awesome as usual, and Olivia Wilde did a very good job too. A couple of funny scenes, but that's all. The plot is nice but not original - Novocaine did it before.

Boycott movies that involve real animal violence! (and their directors too)

[–] cableaddict 10 years ago

This is easily the worst big-budget film I've seen in years.

I made it to about the 25 minute mark, and couldn't take anymore.

[–] zaptie 10 years ago

This wasn't a big-budget film at all. It was made on a "low budget", which in indie terms usually means under $1–2 million.

With that said, I really wanted to like this movie. Sam Rockwell has been my favourite actor for quite some time now, so I'll see anything he's in, but this was a disappointment. Not as bad as A Single Shot, but still disappointing.

Sam needs to go back to picking the awesome scripts he used to, like Moon, The Green Mile, Seven Psychopaths, Matchstick Men, Galaxy Quest, Assassination of Jesse James, Conviction, The Way Way Back, Choke. These films deserve his talent. This one does not.

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When is a sidewalk fully dressed? When it's Waring Hudsucker!

[–] JackBluegrass 10 years ago

"It's as if Jane is reading the entire screenplay to us regardless of the fact that the visuals do an adequate job of explaining back story and character development."

This is about the only entertainment role that Jane Fonda can get today. Appropriately.

E pluribus unum

[–] dancinqueen47 9 years ago

Yes, it was! A huge mess.

Sing until your throat hurts, dance until your legs hurt, act until you're William Hurt.