(by special request)
I think my biggest problem with this movie is the fact that I had sort of built it up too much in my head. With so many award nominations, recommendations, etc., I expected a really big movie, and it turned out to be a really small, really human movie.
I guess the biggest problem with the movie is that it is very realistic. The people we think are good sometimes do bad things without repurcussion. The two main characters are basically a loser and a womanizer.
I guess the movie just didn't ring that true with me. Probably because it was mainly about getting older, midlife crises, and that sort of thing, stuff that a 22-year-old simply can't identify with that well.
I think this probably worked better as a book than it does on film. I think if we could have a clear path into the characters' minds, it would enhance the story more, which is something that's mostly impossible to accomplish on film.
So, basically, it's a movie where you're stuck with two mostly unlikable characters and you either have to accept them for who they are or you're never going to appreciate the movie, and I guess I just couldn't do that.
I liked Alexander Payne's earlier movies (Citizen Ruth, Election) much better than this. In all fairness, his movies have always had main characters who were rather unlikable, but I liked them better, for some reason.
Here's one thing I want to ask everyone who's seen it: do you think Paul Giamatti's character is an alcoholic? I've heard valid points on both sides, and I want to get everyone's opinion. I say yes.
I think my biggest problem with this movie is the fact that I had sort of built it up too much in my head. With so many award nominations, recommendations, etc., I expected a really big movie, and it turned out to be a really small, really human movie.
I guess the biggest problem with the movie is that it is very realistic. The people we think are good sometimes do bad things without repurcussion. The two main characters are basically a loser and a womanizer.
I guess the movie just didn't ring that true with me. Probably because it was mainly about getting older, midlife crises, and that sort of thing, stuff that a 22-year-old simply can't identify with that well.
I think this probably worked better as a book than it does on film. I think if we could have a clear path into the characters' minds, it would enhance the story more, which is something that's mostly impossible to accomplish on film.
So, basically, it's a movie where you're stuck with two mostly unlikable characters and you either have to accept them for who they are or you're never going to appreciate the movie, and I guess I just couldn't do that.
I liked Alexander Payne's earlier movies (Citizen Ruth, Election) much better than this. In all fairness, his movies have always had main characters who were rather unlikable, but I liked them better, for some reason.
Here's one thing I want to ask everyone who's seen it: do you think Paul Giamatti's character is an alcoholic? I've heard valid points on both sides, and I want to get everyone's opinion. I say yes.
