Limitless
So, today's selection was Limitless, a drug-thriller starring Bradley Cooper. No, not the type of drug thriller like... ummm... Traffic? Ok, maybe "drug thriller" isn't the best way of putting it. Thriller. Yeah. Thriller might due. Actionish thriller at that. With some twistyness to it too. On the whole, it was good enough fun. But, since it does rely on some reasonable twists, turns, and complications as part of it's fun, I'm not going to say much about the plot. The basic story is that a kind of lazy, creatively-challenged, bathing-optional writer manages to turn himself into a dynamo with the help of a chance (kind of flimsy in turns of premise) encounter and a little drug that allows you to use your entirety- including the other 80%- of your brain (the idea being that the old adage that we only use 20% of our brains is actually true...). Of course, Cooper's Eddie quickly becomes addicted... perhaps necessarily... and also quickly becomes a hell of a financial guru... and author... and so on and so forth. In short, the little drug turns him into the mental equivalent of Superman, but see, it is a drug... and an illegal one at that and this, of course brings complications. And so a kind of cool, sci-fi-y thriller ensues.
And I do mean only KIND of cool. The premise seems original enough. And there is plenty of action and some genuine thrills. But the problem is, the as the action revs up and the plot line becomes more complicated, holes starting bursting through the story line. By the end, I had a pretty good time, but also lots of questions. Some were on the level of: wait, what happened to so and so by the end? Others were of the "wait, how does that make any sense?" level. And still others were "that doesn't really make much sense at all, does it?" sorts of questions. None of these are great to have rolling around your head at the end of an action/thriller movie. And some take away from the movie more than others. Ok, perhaps an example... let's see, how not to give away too much.... oh, so yeah, there's a kind of throw-away line in the scene where Eddie gets the goods. The skivvy dealer who gets him that first sweet taste lets him know that it works better for smart people. I guess in a sense it's just really unlocking your ultimate potential. Well here's the deal: Eddie is a writer. A struggling writer. Yeah the film leads you to believe he's pretty smart, he talks a good game, but no where does it hint that he has an aptitude for numbers. Perhaps he does, perhaps he doesn't. But that's where he makes his mark, as a financial guru. Does this mean that Eddie is really just a pretty damn smart guy in general? Does it mean that we all have innate ability to comprehend numbers? Is there any real difference between Eddie and the other folks who take it? It's hard to say. Are they trying to make any broad generalizations about people and the way the mind works? Again hard to say, but not really a big deal in the least. Just a little unclear. In the end, there were enough of the truly bothersome types of questions to drop the movie down a few notches in my mind. Yeah, I was entertained for the most part, but I was also confused. Not cool.
In a sense, the questions, confusion, and plot holes are a bit of a shame. Like I said, the movie was genuinely entertaining, and a lot of that comes from the really great performances Bradley Cooper and Robert De Niro (as corporate power player Carl Van Loon) deliver. Cooper seems a natural to play the role, particularly post-drug discovery. Eddie, after all, is not a mean spirited figure, just arrogant and smug enough to have an edge, but really a decent guy. He maybe a touch slimy, but not so much that you bathe after you cross paths with him. Eddie does have charm (both before and after the drug experience) and Cooper plays this off with ease. And I'm not so sure it's a compliment, but Cooper seems really well equipped to play such a simplistic character... heavy on charm (genuine charm) and good looks... a little light on depth. De Niro, too, seems to have stumbled on an ideal role. The character of a corporate powerhouse tough guy just seems to suit him. He chews his scenes up well- if in a typical De Niro way. The best scenes in the movie are when the gritty, tough, seen-it-all, done-more Van Loon goes toe to toe with the kind-of arrogant, kind-of sincere, kind-of out of his league except for his little pill friend Eddie. Eddie's in some manner of control.. and he knows it as does Van Loon, but they both know- for the most part- that things don't quite make sense in that arrangement. It's pretty cool to watch.
But beyond the enjoyable acting and action there are indeed plot holes, superfluous characters (or near-superfluous characters), and some general confusion. I also had the sense that the film ducks what would have been a weighty and entertaining question: what are the deeper implications of possessing god-like intelligence? What are some of the moral issues with becoming freakishly smart solely because of a pill? Is it right? Not just illegal, but truly right? We don't know. I suppose if they really started trying to answer those questions, the movie would take on a heaviness that would ultimately weigh it down and work against it. So perhaps it's better that they didn't really even try. But then again, if it were done right, exploring these questions might bring about a movie that leaves audiences thinking for all the right reasons... not out of a sense of genuine confusion. But as it is? Well, it could have been worse... yeah, could have been better, but it definitely could have been worse.
Grade: B
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Movie List 2011: 13.) Just Go With It
Just Go With It
Yeah, I saw it. Yeah, it was a typical Adam Sandler movie. Well, typical Adam Sandler of late movie that is. No, it wasn't very good. Wasn't his worst effort in recent years either, it just wasn't particularly good. It had what you would expect it to have: toilet humor, dick jokes, Adam Sandler's character being completely obsessed with a much hotter than he could hope to snag chick, Adam Sandler doing stupid voices, and of course a ludicrous, over-the-top, please-have-him-killed-off-mid-movie sidekick. Among other convential Sandler gags (I was surprised at the minimal amount of singing and Jewish jokes... or Jew-related jokes, rather). Here's the thing, though. It was also heavy on...ummm...heartfelt moments... which is also a Sandler staple of late. He's dialed down the potty humor and dialed up the date-friendly humor. A little something for everyone...or anyone...with half a working brain. But here's the other thing... even given his attempt (and yes, I do mean his. No, he didn't write the movie...or the play it's apparently based on...but his production company, Happy Madison did produce this gem... and he is credited as a producer) to- I don't know- grow up a bit, Sandler, here offers one of his dumbest movies to date. The whole thing is ridiculously unbelievable and so totally predictable. And yet, Sandler and company managed to squeeze out nearly two hours of story here. How? They just kept out-doing themselves in ridiculousness. In fact, one of the things that kept engaged was my curiosity at how absurd they were willing to go... and the answer? Pretty damn absurd. Which, of course, makes me absurd for seeing it, right? Maybe.
But by absurd, what do I mean? Well the whole thing is built on such a shaky premise... that ladies are attracted to damaged married, men. Wait, what? They are. And by ladies I mean women 30 and under. And by attracted I mean they want badly to shag. And by men, I mean men looking and acting like Adam Sandler. See what I mean? Sure, all the single chicas I know are just itching to be "the other woman". But it's ok, see, because Sandler's Danny- who is of course lying about marriage- is in a string of dumpster-fire relationships. His "wives" are abusive, strung-out on drugs or alcohol, cheating, or some engaging in some other horrid/satanic act. And Danny, well, he's noble for sticking by them... except he's also willing to shag you, and you, yes, you 30 (generous) and under female, that's your ticket! Huh. Isn't that something....stupid. Why, yes, it is. So to sum up: Hi, I'm a 20-something woman. Oh, you're married. And in such a horrid marriage that you need professional help or at the very least, you need to leave. And yet you're so nobly sticking by the bitch. Hmm, you know what? USE ME!!! Don't get me wrong, I'm sure there are women out there who do like one-night stands, and who do get excited by the thought of being the other woman... and there are women out there who find Sandler attractive... but a parade of twenty-somethings that fit all three criteria? Not so sure.
Ok,ok, yes, I'm being a bit hypocritical. And yeah, I usually don't like to get so preachy. It's a movie after all, just fun and games. And you HAVE to be willing to suspend your disbelieve in virtually any movie in order for it to be fun. I've always said that the movie just needs to be consistent and play by the rules it establishes as it's baseline in order for it to be believable. So, this is the baseline, and as Sandler is the emperor he can establish such a laughable baseline. (Never mind the fact that it was his being used by a callous, gold digger that set Danny's 20-charade off- the lesson he learned apparently was what's good for the goose is good for the gander... bitch). That doesn't mean that I have to think that the baseline isn't dumb. It's stupid. Again, maybe I'm getting too wound up here. It's just a movie.... I don't know. But, ok, we'll play by YOUR rules Sandler. What happens next?
Danny bumps into 23ish year old Palmer (Brooklyn Decker). And after what apparently is an evening of small talk, big sex, and umm, deep connections (we know this because Danny tells it to us...as he tells it to Palmer- yeah the chemistry between Sandler and Decker wasn't really there. Maybe it's because Sandler is trying to have relationship-quality chemistry with a woman young enough to be his daughter... or maybe it's because Decker is a model who can't act- she can't...yet anyway, maybe there's hope for her. Malin Ackerman was a model and I actually think she's done pretty well in the movies. But Decker? Right now? Not so much acting as reciting her lines.. I don't know, they form a connection. Over night. But here's the deal. Because of that connection- formed, incidentally, without Danny having to play the beat-up husband role- Danny has finally found a girl worthy of being something other than a receptacle for his lust. And...she's interested in BEING something other than a receptacle for his lust! Win-win. A match made in Hollywood. What a magical one-night stand. Only, Danny blows it by having his trusty wedding ring in his pants and Palmer finds it. Show over. She never really wanted to be a receptacle for his lust... I mean... if he was married anyway. She's not THAT kind of girl. Fair enough. So the ever resourceful Danny hits the fall back plan... he lies. Well... 24ish hours later he shows up at Palmer's place of employment and tries to explain away the ring. You see, he's getting a divorce because his wife is the devil. Ah, but Palmer wants proof. She needs to meet the devil. So Danny begs/bribes his assistant (Jennifer Aniston) into playing the role of she-devil, soon-to-be ex-wife. By the way, Danny is a plastic surgeon. A rich one. I suppose we're supposed to believe that Palmer would fall for Danny, not because he's rich... or because she would get a discount on plastic surgery (because, honestly, she doesn't need the work... unless, that is, Danny specializes in adding a dimension to folks' personality. She may be a candidate for that.). No, Palmer connected with Danny. He told us so. Anyway, shenanigans ensue when Katherine/"Devlin"- that'd be her phony married name- drops the bomb that she has kids- which the two lie about and claim they're hers with Danny. And the whole crew ends up going to Hawaii where... I suppose I should issue a warning here... spoiler alert.... Palmer ends up parading around in a bikini. A lot. And Danny and Katherine fall for each other. Something you could see coming from the first extended scene with the two in Danny's office.
Just a couple of problems here. First, the "connection" between Danny and Palmer. Danny seems only interested in Palmer for two reasons. To watch her strut her stuff in her barely there bikini (speaking of which kudos to said bikini for its game effort in narrowly holding on to keep this a pg-13 gig) and to have sex with her. That's the connection. We know this because every time she does anything that isn't one of those two things, Danny rolls his eyes, acts exasperated, and seems genuinely annoyed by her. So I guess she's different than every other girl, because he wants to shag her til death do them part. So yeah, about that connection. It's ridiculous.
The other major problem. Well, see, he likes Palmer enough that he doesn't want to reveal what a real shallow, skivvy asshole he is to her by telling the truth about his wedding ring. So instead he starts to build up and ever more complicated lie which would be harder to maintain expecting her never to find out...forever. He doesn't want to reveal what a pathological lier he is...so he lies. Ok, sure, that does actually make sense. What else would a lier do. The fact that he's able to pull it off for so long is ridiculous. And you know what else is ridiculous? Katherine knows all about all the lying. She knows all about the parade of really young women Danny has bagged. And yet, she still falls for him. One reason? He tells her that she's the only one he's never lied to... said the lier. How do you believe him? So, Danny has no problem being the complete ass he is (even if he is fun and charming) to the woman he falls for, but the one he was interested in for the sake of banging...she can't find out what a scoundrel he is. And even though she knows he's completely disgusting. Danny ends up being KATHERINE'S completely disgusting jerk. So its ok. She can fall in love with him. Sandler's not playing by rules here, he's playing Calvinball and making the rules, the baseline, up as he goes along. And in doing so he creates a ridiculously unbelievable and ultimately dumb movie.
Ok, yeah, no, I don't usually like to take things so seriously. It WAS just a movie. A dumb one. And it wasn't even THAT terrible. It had some redeeming factors. Not many. But Aniston is charming in it. Even if it is the role she seems destined to play for the rest of her career. The really sincere, giving, consolation prize of a woman... who's really the main prize. Never mind that she's stunning and -in this role- fun in her own right and completely worth winning. Whatever. HER chemistry with Sandler- particularly the flirting back and forth in the office was entertaining. And, I suppose, there were a few gags I chuckled at.... annnnnd... hmmm. well that's it. So redeeming factors or not, this movie kind of sucked. But if we're grading on a Sandler curve... this would be towards the tip of the list. Harmless, ultimately, I suppose, but really unbelievable...and dumb.
Oh, I should also apologize if I did, in fact, ruin the movie for anyone. I'm sorry. But let me put it this way... I might have ruined the movie, but I'm pretty sure I saved your night.
Grade: D+
Yeah, I saw it. Yeah, it was a typical Adam Sandler movie. Well, typical Adam Sandler of late movie that is. No, it wasn't very good. Wasn't his worst effort in recent years either, it just wasn't particularly good. It had what you would expect it to have: toilet humor, dick jokes, Adam Sandler's character being completely obsessed with a much hotter than he could hope to snag chick, Adam Sandler doing stupid voices, and of course a ludicrous, over-the-top, please-have-him-killed-off-mid-movie sidekick. Among other convential Sandler gags (I was surprised at the minimal amount of singing and Jewish jokes... or Jew-related jokes, rather). Here's the thing, though. It was also heavy on...ummm...heartfelt moments... which is also a Sandler staple of late. He's dialed down the potty humor and dialed up the date-friendly humor. A little something for everyone...or anyone...with half a working brain. But here's the other thing... even given his attempt (and yes, I do mean his. No, he didn't write the movie...or the play it's apparently based on...but his production company, Happy Madison did produce this gem... and he is credited as a producer) to- I don't know- grow up a bit, Sandler, here offers one of his dumbest movies to date. The whole thing is ridiculously unbelievable and so totally predictable. And yet, Sandler and company managed to squeeze out nearly two hours of story here. How? They just kept out-doing themselves in ridiculousness. In fact, one of the things that kept engaged was my curiosity at how absurd they were willing to go... and the answer? Pretty damn absurd. Which, of course, makes me absurd for seeing it, right? Maybe.
But by absurd, what do I mean? Well the whole thing is built on such a shaky premise... that ladies are attracted to damaged married, men. Wait, what? They are. And by ladies I mean women 30 and under. And by attracted I mean they want badly to shag. And by men, I mean men looking and acting like Adam Sandler. See what I mean? Sure, all the single chicas I know are just itching to be "the other woman". But it's ok, see, because Sandler's Danny- who is of course lying about marriage- is in a string of dumpster-fire relationships. His "wives" are abusive, strung-out on drugs or alcohol, cheating, or some engaging in some other horrid/satanic act. And Danny, well, he's noble for sticking by them... except he's also willing to shag you, and you, yes, you 30 (generous) and under female, that's your ticket! Huh. Isn't that something....stupid. Why, yes, it is. So to sum up: Hi, I'm a 20-something woman. Oh, you're married. And in such a horrid marriage that you need professional help or at the very least, you need to leave. And yet you're so nobly sticking by the bitch. Hmm, you know what? USE ME!!! Don't get me wrong, I'm sure there are women out there who do like one-night stands, and who do get excited by the thought of being the other woman... and there are women out there who find Sandler attractive... but a parade of twenty-somethings that fit all three criteria? Not so sure.
Ok,ok, yes, I'm being a bit hypocritical. And yeah, I usually don't like to get so preachy. It's a movie after all, just fun and games. And you HAVE to be willing to suspend your disbelieve in virtually any movie in order for it to be fun. I've always said that the movie just needs to be consistent and play by the rules it establishes as it's baseline in order for it to be believable. So, this is the baseline, and as Sandler is the emperor he can establish such a laughable baseline. (Never mind the fact that it was his being used by a callous, gold digger that set Danny's 20-charade off- the lesson he learned apparently was what's good for the goose is good for the gander... bitch). That doesn't mean that I have to think that the baseline isn't dumb. It's stupid. Again, maybe I'm getting too wound up here. It's just a movie.... I don't know. But, ok, we'll play by YOUR rules Sandler. What happens next?
Danny bumps into 23ish year old Palmer (Brooklyn Decker). And after what apparently is an evening of small talk, big sex, and umm, deep connections (we know this because Danny tells it to us...as he tells it to Palmer- yeah the chemistry between Sandler and Decker wasn't really there. Maybe it's because Sandler is trying to have relationship-quality chemistry with a woman young enough to be his daughter... or maybe it's because Decker is a model who can't act- she can't...yet anyway, maybe there's hope for her. Malin Ackerman was a model and I actually think she's done pretty well in the movies. But Decker? Right now? Not so much acting as reciting her lines.. I don't know, they form a connection. Over night. But here's the deal. Because of that connection- formed, incidentally, without Danny having to play the beat-up husband role- Danny has finally found a girl worthy of being something other than a receptacle for his lust. And...she's interested in BEING something other than a receptacle for his lust! Win-win. A match made in Hollywood. What a magical one-night stand. Only, Danny blows it by having his trusty wedding ring in his pants and Palmer finds it. Show over. She never really wanted to be a receptacle for his lust... I mean... if he was married anyway. She's not THAT kind of girl. Fair enough. So the ever resourceful Danny hits the fall back plan... he lies. Well... 24ish hours later he shows up at Palmer's place of employment and tries to explain away the ring. You see, he's getting a divorce because his wife is the devil. Ah, but Palmer wants proof. She needs to meet the devil. So Danny begs/bribes his assistant (Jennifer Aniston) into playing the role of she-devil, soon-to-be ex-wife. By the way, Danny is a plastic surgeon. A rich one. I suppose we're supposed to believe that Palmer would fall for Danny, not because he's rich... or because she would get a discount on plastic surgery (because, honestly, she doesn't need the work... unless, that is, Danny specializes in adding a dimension to folks' personality. She may be a candidate for that.). No, Palmer connected with Danny. He told us so. Anyway, shenanigans ensue when Katherine/"Devlin"- that'd be her phony married name- drops the bomb that she has kids- which the two lie about and claim they're hers with Danny. And the whole crew ends up going to Hawaii where... I suppose I should issue a warning here... spoiler alert.... Palmer ends up parading around in a bikini. A lot. And Danny and Katherine fall for each other. Something you could see coming from the first extended scene with the two in Danny's office.
Just a couple of problems here. First, the "connection" between Danny and Palmer. Danny seems only interested in Palmer for two reasons. To watch her strut her stuff in her barely there bikini (speaking of which kudos to said bikini for its game effort in narrowly holding on to keep this a pg-13 gig) and to have sex with her. That's the connection. We know this because every time she does anything that isn't one of those two things, Danny rolls his eyes, acts exasperated, and seems genuinely annoyed by her. So I guess she's different than every other girl, because he wants to shag her til death do them part. So yeah, about that connection. It's ridiculous.
The other major problem. Well, see, he likes Palmer enough that he doesn't want to reveal what a real shallow, skivvy asshole he is to her by telling the truth about his wedding ring. So instead he starts to build up and ever more complicated lie which would be harder to maintain expecting her never to find out...forever. He doesn't want to reveal what a pathological lier he is...so he lies. Ok, sure, that does actually make sense. What else would a lier do. The fact that he's able to pull it off for so long is ridiculous. And you know what else is ridiculous? Katherine knows all about all the lying. She knows all about the parade of really young women Danny has bagged. And yet, she still falls for him. One reason? He tells her that she's the only one he's never lied to... said the lier. How do you believe him? So, Danny has no problem being the complete ass he is (even if he is fun and charming) to the woman he falls for, but the one he was interested in for the sake of banging...she can't find out what a scoundrel he is. And even though she knows he's completely disgusting. Danny ends up being KATHERINE'S completely disgusting jerk. So its ok. She can fall in love with him. Sandler's not playing by rules here, he's playing Calvinball and making the rules, the baseline, up as he goes along. And in doing so he creates a ridiculously unbelievable and ultimately dumb movie.
Ok, yeah, no, I don't usually like to take things so seriously. It WAS just a movie. A dumb one. And it wasn't even THAT terrible. It had some redeeming factors. Not many. But Aniston is charming in it. Even if it is the role she seems destined to play for the rest of her career. The really sincere, giving, consolation prize of a woman... who's really the main prize. Never mind that she's stunning and -in this role- fun in her own right and completely worth winning. Whatever. HER chemistry with Sandler- particularly the flirting back and forth in the office was entertaining. And, I suppose, there were a few gags I chuckled at.... annnnnd... hmmm. well that's it. So redeeming factors or not, this movie kind of sucked. But if we're grading on a Sandler curve... this would be towards the tip of the list. Harmless, ultimately, I suppose, but really unbelievable...and dumb.
Oh, I should also apologize if I did, in fact, ruin the movie for anyone. I'm sorry. But let me put it this way... I might have ruined the movie, but I'm pretty sure I saved your night.
Grade: D+
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Movie List 2011: 12.) Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids
Kind of tired right now, so I'll cut right to the chase. Really enjoyed this one. Which is nice because I had been looking forward to seeing it... though I suppose I was afraid that all the funny parts would have popped up in the previews. And a lot of them did, but still, a quality comedy nonetheless. I think the thing that I liked about it most was the tone. And the feel. It was just a fun movie- didn't take itself too seriously. It seemed like the filmmakers were aiming for a solid, good time and that's where it hit. For the most part anyway. There were times, particularly at the beginning where the characters- especially Ed Helms' Tim Lippe- started to veer way too close to outlandish caricature. Could anyone be as childishly ignorant of the world as Lippe? So idiotic... so clueless? At times, his character came off as grating. But then, just as quickly as the film started to lose me, it managed to draw me back in. How? Other than being fun, I think the secret to the movie's quality was that it mixed in just enough earnestness and believability in the main characters to keep it grounded. There was something... I dunno...sincere about Lippe as well. His goody-goody persona was never over-the-top but balanced just well enough with the annoying parts to make him a likable enough character. And as the movie went on, I found myself less and less bothered by him. And, as such, I was able to enjoy the movie more and more.
Another thing to like about Cedar Rapids was the strong supporting cast- and by that I mean both the characters and the actors portraying them. John C. Reilly was awesome. He nailed the "that guy"role- the guy who constantly and purposefully steps over the line, but really has a heart of gold. He's an idiot, but he's our idiot. I'm not sure Reilly has ever been better in a comedy. His timing was fantastic. The way he dove into the role... it was great. And he was matched step-for-step by Anne Heche as the firecracker insurance insurance agent attending the conference in Cedar Rapids primarily because she wants an escape from her life back home. Heche plays the role with an easy coolness and charm. You can't help but want to hang out with her character. Her character is effortlessly fun and Heche proves to be a real asset to the film. In addition to Heche and Reilly, Isiah Whitlock as not-quite-as-up-tight-but-damn-close fellow insurance agent Ronald and Alia Shawkat as small-town prostitute Bree both add an element of fun to the film. So as far as the casting and performances go...well done, folks.
In fact, there's not really a lot to complain about with the movie. I was thoroughly entertained and that, of course, is my main criteria for a decent movie. I actually did laugh out loud several times. Which was nice. That said, yeah, it wasn't a perfect movie. The story was- at times- ridiculous. But if you can hang with it through those times, and can get through some of Lippe's more annoying traits, a good time will be waiting. I definitely enjoyed it. But then again, I'm kind of a sucker for quirky, earnest-yet-outrageous comedies. So as far as that goes, this one was a winner.
Grade: A
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Movie List 2011: 11.) The Adjustment Bureau
The Adjustment Bureau
I had been looking forward to seeing this one for a long, long, long time. Don't know if any of you remember but it had been slated to come out last summer... then fall... then maybe winter, before finally finding a spot in March. Usually that means bad things for a movie. After all, summer, fall, winter? These are Academy Awards qualifying seasons. No one remembers movies from February or March. Of course, I'd like to think that the rules changed when Shutter Island was pushed to February. That movie kicked ass! But usually... I guess.. the rule is that movies released in February and March kind of suck.
So...Did The Adjustment Bureau suck? Well, no, actually it didn't. It was pretty darn good. Not quite on par with Shutter Island, but good nonetheless. Certainly COULD have played well in the Oscars seasons, but knowing the Academy (ok, I don't KNOW the Academy per se, but from what I understand about the Academy...) it wouldn't have stood a chance for any awards. But that's not really the movie's fault.
So...here's the deal: I'm not going to be able to write as much about the plot as I'd like and some explanations are going to be lacking... and not because I suck as a writer either. I think it'll be better for the folks who see it to know as little about the finer plot points as possible. It's not really a twist-filled adventure but I still think it'd be better not to give away too much. This much you could reasonably snag from the trailer- which if you've seen many movies over the last year or so, you'll have seen about 50 times. The movie is essentially explores the question of free will... specifically, what would happen if we really didn't have it...or, rather, what would happen if you found out that your decisions weren't your own. What would happen if everything truly DID happen for a reason... and that reason was that your life had a plan...and every time you were inclined to stray from the plan, something nudged you back on. It's a pretty interesting idea to explore, and the way it is explored is compelling as well. Viewing the question through the lens of a love story was a pretty good...if predictable...way to relate the issues and consequences involved with it. After all, why else would New York Senate candidate David Norris (Matt Damon) stray from a pretty awesome plan? Love, of course. It's the ultimate curve ball. And so David tries to stray from his plan when he meets the unquestionably awesome Elise (a fantastic Emily Blunt). And well, things get interesting for him from there. Lots of compelling questions tied into it. Couldn't help but wonder what I would do in the situation. And so the movie unwinds into a pseudo-action/love/chase movie. It's definitely engaging and really pretty entertaining, but the meat of the movie is in the questions being asked and the situations you're left to grapple with and the implications involved with these situations and questions. All good, heady stuff. It makes you think.... or...really it asks you to think. And those of you willing to be engaged by it, I imagine will have a good time with it. I did.
But that isn't to say that the movie as a whole or the way it unfolds are altogether perfect or perfectly satisfying. There are some disappointments here. There are, for instance, some pretty gaping plot holes that may raise some questions that have nothing to do with the core questions the movie is designed to have you ask yourself. More like well why wouldn't they just...? types of questions. These weren't major, major issues in my mind because I was willing to go with it. I suppose these types of holes develop when a movie becomes strained by it's own complexity. Or at least when the filmmakers struggle with the decisions of what to explain and what they feel they don't need to explain. I don't know. It just didn't bother me. At least not significantly. The ending was also a bit problematic. I don't know if it's just that they tried to explain too much or they spun it all the wrong way...or maybe it was done right, but just delivered wrong. I don't know what exactly it was, but the way they brought everything to a close was a little unsatisfying to me. But, in terms of drawbacks... that was it.
I think what really helped me get beyond the drawbacks were the awesome casting and the fantastic performances. Especially in the case of the leads. Matt Damon as an earnest politician? I can't imagine a more perfect role. And Emily Blunt was as charming and engaging on screen as any actress I have seen in a long time. I loved the role for her. She absolutely nailed it...at least for the most part. She fast becoming one of my favorite actresses. The rest of the cast was fantastic as well. The dialog was at times encouraged some wooden performances but for the most part I couldn't complain.
Yeah, actually that's a pretty good way to sum up the entire flick. It wasn't perfect on the whole. But it was really good. As far as a way to spend a couple hours of my life? I'm certainly not going to complain.
Grade: A-
I had been looking forward to seeing this one for a long, long, long time. Don't know if any of you remember but it had been slated to come out last summer... then fall... then maybe winter, before finally finding a spot in March. Usually that means bad things for a movie. After all, summer, fall, winter? These are Academy Awards qualifying seasons. No one remembers movies from February or March. Of course, I'd like to think that the rules changed when Shutter Island was pushed to February. That movie kicked ass! But usually... I guess.. the rule is that movies released in February and March kind of suck.
So...Did The Adjustment Bureau suck? Well, no, actually it didn't. It was pretty darn good. Not quite on par with Shutter Island, but good nonetheless. Certainly COULD have played well in the Oscars seasons, but knowing the Academy (ok, I don't KNOW the Academy per se, but from what I understand about the Academy...) it wouldn't have stood a chance for any awards. But that's not really the movie's fault.
So...here's the deal: I'm not going to be able to write as much about the plot as I'd like and some explanations are going to be lacking... and not because I suck as a writer either. I think it'll be better for the folks who see it to know as little about the finer plot points as possible. It's not really a twist-filled adventure but I still think it'd be better not to give away too much. This much you could reasonably snag from the trailer- which if you've seen many movies over the last year or so, you'll have seen about 50 times. The movie is essentially explores the question of free will... specifically, what would happen if we really didn't have it...or, rather, what would happen if you found out that your decisions weren't your own. What would happen if everything truly DID happen for a reason... and that reason was that your life had a plan...and every time you were inclined to stray from the plan, something nudged you back on. It's a pretty interesting idea to explore, and the way it is explored is compelling as well. Viewing the question through the lens of a love story was a pretty good...if predictable...way to relate the issues and consequences involved with it. After all, why else would New York Senate candidate David Norris (Matt Damon) stray from a pretty awesome plan? Love, of course. It's the ultimate curve ball. And so David tries to stray from his plan when he meets the unquestionably awesome Elise (a fantastic Emily Blunt). And well, things get interesting for him from there. Lots of compelling questions tied into it. Couldn't help but wonder what I would do in the situation. And so the movie unwinds into a pseudo-action/love/chase movie. It's definitely engaging and really pretty entertaining, but the meat of the movie is in the questions being asked and the situations you're left to grapple with and the implications involved with these situations and questions. All good, heady stuff. It makes you think.... or...really it asks you to think. And those of you willing to be engaged by it, I imagine will have a good time with it. I did.
But that isn't to say that the movie as a whole or the way it unfolds are altogether perfect or perfectly satisfying. There are some disappointments here. There are, for instance, some pretty gaping plot holes that may raise some questions that have nothing to do with the core questions the movie is designed to have you ask yourself. More like well why wouldn't they just...? types of questions. These weren't major, major issues in my mind because I was willing to go with it. I suppose these types of holes develop when a movie becomes strained by it's own complexity. Or at least when the filmmakers struggle with the decisions of what to explain and what they feel they don't need to explain. I don't know. It just didn't bother me. At least not significantly. The ending was also a bit problematic. I don't know if it's just that they tried to explain too much or they spun it all the wrong way...or maybe it was done right, but just delivered wrong. I don't know what exactly it was, but the way they brought everything to a close was a little unsatisfying to me. But, in terms of drawbacks... that was it.
I think what really helped me get beyond the drawbacks were the awesome casting and the fantastic performances. Especially in the case of the leads. Matt Damon as an earnest politician? I can't imagine a more perfect role. And Emily Blunt was as charming and engaging on screen as any actress I have seen in a long time. I loved the role for her. She absolutely nailed it...at least for the most part. She fast becoming one of my favorite actresses. The rest of the cast was fantastic as well. The dialog was at times encouraged some wooden performances but for the most part I couldn't complain.
Yeah, actually that's a pretty good way to sum up the entire flick. It wasn't perfect on the whole. But it was really good. As far as a way to spend a couple hours of my life? I'm certainly not going to complain.
Grade: A-
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