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DokBrowne [ 5.0 ]
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A morose, sardonic indie drama packaged as a quirky mainstream comedy, this movie may use semi-sophisticated language and actual character flaws to make itself look smart and real, but that's just a protective layer, 'cuz it bows to all the same conventions as any other middle-of-the-road dysfunctional family saga. In a way it's like "As Good as it Gets", only less funny and less heartfelt. There's an insufferable narcissistic asshole who annoys everyone but somehow inches into a relationship with a friendly, permissive younger woman, mostly by offending her repeatedly but then feigning adorably vulnerable humility afterwards to earn her forgiveness and, presumably, unconvincingly, enhance her attraction to him. A couple lovable supporting characters get in the way but don't really affect matters at all. Asshole learns to be a little less selfish, cautiously optimistic resolution ensues.
The difference is, this movie drags more. In what its defenders may consider authenticity, it doesn't have many payoffs like a James L. Brooks-type dramedy. Its moments are smaller, not necessarily more incisive or subtle, just less likely to provoke much reaction from the viewer.
Dennis Quaid is entertaining to watch playing against type as a fey, intellectual grouse, Thomas Haden Church endears everyone to his well-worn reckless schlub persona, Sarah Jessica Parker is...well, she's fair but I don't really see a particular appeal to her, and Ellen Page has really nailed down that one-note act of hers; if only it wasn't so damned irritating.
Perhaps the worst thing about the movie, though, beyond its aimless pretenses, is the overwhelming score. It is wall-to-wall bittersweet acoustic folk music, never relenting for even a hint of a scene, always starting up again as though another moment of whimsical melancholy has transpired when in fact nothing on screen virtually EVER solicits, not even the pacing much less the actual emotional resonance of any given moment, these cliched, manipulative pluckings. Set the use of this music to a drinking game and even if you use Lite Beer instead of shots, you'll be passed out in 5 minutes. I suppose it's meant to distract us from the awkwardness of everything at screen
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| Weighted Rating | : 6.1 |
| No. Ratings | : 5 | |
| No. Reviews | : 3 | |
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