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Wanted To Love It / Couldn't Get Past Two Characters (Possible Spoilers)

posted 8 years ago by Antaires
11 replies | jump to latest

As a huge fan of Jemaine Clement I was really looking forward to seeing this film and though it may be unfair was hoping for something the calibre of 'Eagle Vs Shark'. I understand that 'People Places..' is a different animal and believe that it's telling a worthwhile story. The characters and casting were solid except for two which more/less deal-broke the entire film for me: Charlie and Gary.

If we're meant to sympathize with Will (in addition to the other characters) then how are we to understand his attraction either current or previous to the character of Charlie? From start to finish she seems to offer nothing but neurosis and selfishness. She was unhappy and became desperate for change but it seems that Will's persona could not create said neurosis but instead bring it out from within her by him being aloof and passive. (Her reaction to being unhappy with passive Will is to connect with Gary?(!)) As the film went on my resentment for Charlie only grew and by the conclusion I felt absolutely nothing for her. Worse yet: the character of Gary. Thank god independent films don't subscribe to mainstream Hollywood's typical studs and sirens when it comes to cheat partner casting but what is Gary meant to represent in the context of these people?

At first I thought Gary was cast as a statement that life is more messy and far less predictable / stereotypical than most media portrayal of humans - so far I'm on board - but I was waiting the entire film for Gary's character to be revealed: he's not physically desirable so it must be his inner beauty, wisdom, strength etc... but Nothing. He's just this strange unformed lump of a character who Charlie inexplicably decides to A: sleep with (on her daughters birthday) then MARRY.

The relationships between the daughters, Will, Diane and Kat kept me onboard but I can't imagine re-watching this film strictly because of Charlie and Gary.

[–] Keely 8 years ago

I understand what you're saying. Charlie was a basket case. What I also found obnoxious was how Will allowed all the females in the movie to constantly talk down to him or scold him or put him down. I can't stand when movies "adultize" children. On occasion he would put them in their place but too often he became the child. Too bad because this movie had some good things to say about relationships and love.

[–] Egobot 8 years ago

Will portrays his own life since birth, being surrounded by people yet always wanting to be alone. It seems like stuff just kind of happens to him and he is copacetic, for what reason I don't know. But if he came from a big family and was the shy type, it could very well be that he's been talked over his entire life, so he just accepts that as his role. It's normal for people to recreate their childhood.

[–] Keely 8 years ago

yes, that is true

[–] kolnoaMograbi 8 years ago

Keely, to riff on your comment, I also was inwardly groaning at the stereotype of the frazzled, disorganized part-time dad versus the super-organized, micromanaging part-time mom; we saw this in Step-mom (starring Julia Roberts) as well. I'm curious: Is this sterotype borne out in real life?

"When you think of garbage, think of Akeem!"

[–] Keely 8 years ago

Good question! Personally I've never seen anything close to it in real life.

[–] kolnoaMograbi 8 years ago

Also, ever noticed that in films, whenever there's a divorce and the dad is having visitation with his son, he calls his son "Buddy" or "Pal"? I first noticed it in the TV series "30-something", but it's a repeating phenomenon...

"When you think of garbage, think of Akeem!"

[–] Cocoroca 8 years ago

The wife was a one dimensional shrew with no redeeming qualities. I heard that the director based her on his actual ex-wife. He must still have a lot of hate for his ex to make her such a selfish and cruel beast.

[–] doggie_rodriguez 8 years ago

We don't understand his attraction to Charlie initially b/c the film picks up at the end of their relationship. There is a scene where he tells (someone) about how great she used to be. She had money and paid for him to go to school.

[–] saintgeneveive 8 years ago

I agree with every word you wrote 100%. I could have written this post but now there's no need.

[–] Gambitt 8 years ago

Gary was a gag character, a running joke throughout the movie. He was there to add insult to injury. "My wife is leaving me . . . for this???" Just one more testament to how absurdly miserable Will's life had become. At least that was how I viewed him.

[–] everythingangels 8 years ago

I don't think he was a gag character at all. Will was a comic book artist that his wife supported... but in turn didn't get any emotional support from. Gary did monologues and was also some sorta artist (and his wife would dabble in the "arts" as well). More than that, he seemed to actually express his feelings and and be rather sensitive when doing so and I definitely got the impression that THAT was what his ex-wife was attracted to. Basically, he was sorta like Will... but offering the actual emotional intimacy that Will wasn't very capable of.

I think if Will was our friend (as we sorta try to make him out to be as viewers) then we'd be very quick to label his wife as all sorts of bad things (because we'd know Will to be a "good guy")... but Will most certainly would not and would even defend her to us, because he'd know that he had a lot of blame for pushing his wife away.

Relationships require a lot of work. Will simply wasn't up to the task. As such, I'd certainly label the whole thing tragic, but I wouldn't so simply decide Will's just a good guy and that makes his ex- the "bad guy" here.