This film is a pretty stereotypical, 20-something friends "come-of-manhood in marriage, relationships with women and selves" sort of film, loosely inspired by woody Allen marital dramatics and ruminations on extra-marital affairs. It probably only gathered the money to be made on the strength of leading man Zach braff's garden state success, but in this movie is acting is pretty much exactly as it was in that movie: wooden, awkward. This film however has no storyline about a childhood of lithium-induced emotional deadness or over-prescription on drugs to rationalize that, though.
Film has a pretty good cast - even features drama between an older couple. But generally the plot is unrealistic and poorly written. A lot of the plot devices seemed poorly thought of, like someone based this on an idea they had while eating a bagel, or it was based on real-life events, but re-done around some do-it-yourself screen writing guide's tips on structure and etc. And the ending is terrible. It just all seems like it wouldn't really happen - Rachel bilson's horny co-ed is especially bad. 'oh no, Zach braff has gone to a crazy college party. he's lusting for this girl, but afraid of this world. he should just stick with his wife.' thats how it begins, and little changes. Jacinda Barret gives it her all as Zach's wife, but frankly, her scenes are painfully bad to watch. but at least tom Wilkinson has a cool accent, standing in for Ian holm as father figure. Also, weird bad soundtrack.
However, why did I watch this movie? Two reasons, one called Casey affleck and one called Michael weston. Michael weston, well-remembered as the insane hitch-hiker who tortures Michael C. Hall in Six Feet Under, has his usual crazy presence and is always fun to watch perform. His story is endearing and sympathetic. Casey Affleck, an actor who's been really coming into his own lately, is great - his role, I believe, is the most believable, and thus his ending is the most painfully dissatisfying and irritating. But maybe in years to come this film will be remembered by people wanting to watch young Casey.
6/10, barely above 5, doesn't really deserve to be watched unless you're totally bored and alone and have literally NOTHING to do but watch this on HBO.
Film has a pretty good cast - even features drama between an older couple. But generally the plot is unrealistic and poorly written. A lot of the plot devices seemed poorly thought of, like someone based this on an idea they had while eating a bagel, or it was based on real-life events, but re-done around some do-it-yourself screen writing guide's tips on structure and etc. And the ending is terrible. It just all seems like it wouldn't really happen - Rachel bilson's horny co-ed is especially bad. 'oh no, Zach braff has gone to a crazy college party. he's lusting for this girl, but afraid of this world. he should just stick with his wife.' thats how it begins, and little changes. Jacinda Barret gives it her all as Zach's wife, but frankly, her scenes are painfully bad to watch. but at least tom Wilkinson has a cool accent, standing in for Ian holm as father figure. Also, weird bad soundtrack.
However, why did I watch this movie? Two reasons, one called Casey affleck and one called Michael weston. Michael weston, well-remembered as the insane hitch-hiker who tortures Michael C. Hall in Six Feet Under, has his usual crazy presence and is always fun to watch perform. His story is endearing and sympathetic. Casey Affleck, an actor who's been really coming into his own lately, is great - his role, I believe, is the most believable, and thus his ending is the most painfully dissatisfying and irritating. But maybe in years to come this film will be remembered by people wanting to watch young Casey.
6/10, barely above 5, doesn't really deserve to be watched unless you're totally bored and alone and have literally NOTHING to do but watch this on HBO.