First and foremost this movie is not good by typical standards. Typical standards including acting, cinematography, story, plot, and direction.
The acting was pretty atrocious. I don't know if that is because of the direction, or because of the actors, either way Matt Bush and Ed Burns, the two main characters have no chemistry and are completely unbelievable in there roles. Kerry Bishe is delightful. That could be because she is the ultimate free spirit nymph and that is probably the dream girl for the majority of the hopelessly seeking their future young men. The archetype, or cliché if your a cynic, is well written and she plays the role well.
The writing. Lazy, hap-hazard, are both perfectly applicable adjectives to the story and plot. That though would be a little cynical. I personally feel that the story is good, and strong, and actually says something because of the rush to "start your life." The now seeming cliché quarter life crisis stated by so many young career minded young adults is real and seemingly giving up on what they actually want to do. The dialogue and the plot both seemed contrived and forced to fit the story. The jog, the house, and the skeevy uncle all push the story right a long with barely any subtlety. This though is a trademark of Burns the further he gets away from Brother McMullen and Shes The One. I like it though. I like feeling like the characters are everyday people with very average IQs that do things that don't hide their actions. There is one GIGANTIC plot hole, but that would be a spoiler and make yourself go whats the purpose for the movie, but then again hindsight is 20/20 in real life and at the end of movies.
The direction I think was sub par outside of resisting the temptation to sit in awe of natural beauty. That was a good choice. No need for long poetic shots of coastlines, cities, or anything else to up the "drama." A simple story with simple stuff. The direction that was horrible was with the actors. Which this could just be the actors, but I think it has more to do with Mr. Burns being in front of the camera. When he isn't there the acting is sub par to good. When he is there, he is the only actor with a bunch of people reading lines who feel out of place. That includes everyone, including Kerry Bishe (who after this movie is making me rethink season 9 of scrubs, in a might have to watch just so I can watch her kind of way).
The camera shots feel clumsy from time to time and time. Also bit characters, the side characters that add depth and feel to movie for repeated viewings are paper thin and very very week. This is a combination of their placement in the movie and the feel of the scenes, they feel forced.
With all that negative where does the 8 come from. This movie is clever. It is not a typical Rom-com. It has its faults, it really does, but when Mr. Burns makes a movie with sentiment about being young and believing in yourself it is hard to be cynical about the story. You know he believes it, and that makes it heart warming and all together charming. He captures the feeling of uncertainty and the effort to show certainty without feeling ham handed (maybe heavy handed, but I like it).
So if you want a charming easily digestible coming of age story without pretension, you have found your movie.
The acting was pretty atrocious. I don't know if that is because of the direction, or because of the actors, either way Matt Bush and Ed Burns, the two main characters have no chemistry and are completely unbelievable in there roles. Kerry Bishe is delightful. That could be because she is the ultimate free spirit nymph and that is probably the dream girl for the majority of the hopelessly seeking their future young men. The archetype, or cliché if your a cynic, is well written and she plays the role well.
The writing. Lazy, hap-hazard, are both perfectly applicable adjectives to the story and plot. That though would be a little cynical. I personally feel that the story is good, and strong, and actually says something because of the rush to "start your life." The now seeming cliché quarter life crisis stated by so many young career minded young adults is real and seemingly giving up on what they actually want to do. The dialogue and the plot both seemed contrived and forced to fit the story. The jog, the house, and the skeevy uncle all push the story right a long with barely any subtlety. This though is a trademark of Burns the further he gets away from Brother McMullen and Shes The One. I like it though. I like feeling like the characters are everyday people with very average IQs that do things that don't hide their actions. There is one GIGANTIC plot hole, but that would be a spoiler and make yourself go whats the purpose for the movie, but then again hindsight is 20/20 in real life and at the end of movies.
The direction I think was sub par outside of resisting the temptation to sit in awe of natural beauty. That was a good choice. No need for long poetic shots of coastlines, cities, or anything else to up the "drama." A simple story with simple stuff. The direction that was horrible was with the actors. Which this could just be the actors, but I think it has more to do with Mr. Burns being in front of the camera. When he isn't there the acting is sub par to good. When he is there, he is the only actor with a bunch of people reading lines who feel out of place. That includes everyone, including Kerry Bishe (who after this movie is making me rethink season 9 of scrubs, in a might have to watch just so I can watch her kind of way).
The camera shots feel clumsy from time to time and time. Also bit characters, the side characters that add depth and feel to movie for repeated viewings are paper thin and very very week. This is a combination of their placement in the movie and the feel of the scenes, they feel forced.
With all that negative where does the 8 come from. This movie is clever. It is not a typical Rom-com. It has its faults, it really does, but when Mr. Burns makes a movie with sentiment about being young and believing in yourself it is hard to be cynical about the story. You know he believes it, and that makes it heart warming and all together charming. He captures the feeling of uncertainty and the effort to show certainty without feeling ham handed (maybe heavy handed, but I like it).
So if you want a charming easily digestible coming of age story without pretension, you have found your movie.