Men, Women & Children

Smartphones, Social Media, Surveillance, Spying: Saw Men, Women & Children starring Adam Sandler, Kaitlyn Dever, Rosemarie DeWitt, Jennifer Garner, and Ansel Elgort at AMC Theatres. The film basically depicts the times we live in; and what I mean by that is how the Internet and technology has changed our lives.

The main characters including high school students and their parents are followed throughout the movie which focuses on how the Internet impacts their relationships, communication, self-image, and love lives.

Several societal social issues are explored including, video games behavioral impact on teenage boys, the emotional impact of spreading rumors, per-marital sex, teen pregnancy, eating disorders, drug use, divorce, infidelity, Internet safety, fame-hunting, and pornography.

Each character/relationship is tested throughout the movie; which shows us, the audience, a variety of roads people choose in their lives; some negative, some positive; but no matter the road taken, the one thing that is very noticeably clear; immunity to the significant societal social change through the use of our smartphones, tablets, and computers in our society is unavoidable.

I found the film somewhat difficult to follow, but the narration by Emma Thompson did make that easier to do. Not the most entertaining film, but most definitely one that comes with many life lesson messages. Not a must see, but if you are looking for a different kind of film which delves in to societal social issues, go see it. My cinema score 7/10. ‪#‎maverickradio‬™

I recently got to see Men, Women, and Children, the newest feature from Jason Reitman (Juno, Up in the Air) and co-writing partner Erin Cressida Wilson (Chloe) based on the novel of the same name by Chad Kultgen.

The film is an ensemble drama, about the effect the internet and technology has had on relationships, intimate or otherwise. They're no groundbreaking original story lines. There is a Romeo (Ansel Elgort) and his Juliet (Kaitlyn Dever). A marriage is on the rocks (Adam Sandler and Rosemarie Dewitt). An overbearing mother trying to control her daughter (Jennifer Garner). An unwitting parent trying to live through her child (Judy Greer and Olivia Crocicchia). A newly single parent trying to connect with his video game addicted son (Dean Norris and Ansel Elgort). An impressionable teenage girl dealing with severe body image issues.

All of the actors did a proficient job. Adam Sandler was excellent, in his first straight drama role since Reign Over Me (or Funny People, if you'd count that). Ansel Elgort and Kaitlyn Dever had both breakout performances. Each of their characters plights will your break your heart, and leave you rooting for them. And most of all, Jennifer Garner was as good as I've seen her in years. She did such an incredible job to make me hate her character as much as I did.

It's a linear story from a big studio with an independent feel. Emotional fireworks are few in this movie. Some of the quieter moments feel the loudest.

This story is timeless. Nobody understands technology in this world. Not the teenagers who superficially know how to use it, and not the parents who are mostly right to be afraid of it. No one understands it. Every character in this story believes the internet can solve their problems. They are searching for a way to mask their wounds. It's ironic that the internet provides anonymity, but those who search for it most crave human connection.

Men, women and children is an intriguing movie about how the internet can influence our lives and what it can do to us if we stay in that 'world' for too long. There were multiple different stories in this film, all were great. Also the characters were all well developed and all have secrets that will make you question whether your own best friends have secrets and even your partner! The soundtrack was also very good and i really want to listen to it right now! The acting is great! Ansel Elgort is amazing, Jennifer Garner is also great. Jennifer Garner's character is all about protecting her daughter on the internet. She is paranoid that her daughter will come across a predator and she is just over protective. Adam Sandler is also great, he is addicted to pornography and has forgotten what it is like to be loved again. This film is great, I think it is a very under rated film which will be more appreciated as it ages.

Men, Women & Children is an introspection to the human isolation of modern life despite increased technical connections.

It is through the Men, Women & Children's characters, specifically high school teens and their parents, that writer/director Jason Reitman explores human communication and interaction and the changes caused by the internet.

It is through these relationships that Reitman then puts a mirror to the impact of the internet on communication, self-image, parenting, love and sexuality and other topics.

From this description, the film could sound like the audience might be in for a PBS special or history channel episode on the digital age. Men, Women & Children is a thought provoking film with interesting but increasingly faulted but well-developed characters. The well conceived plot and dynamic characters are thanks in part to author of synonymously titled novel in which the film is based, Chad Kultgen.

The subject matter of the film is quite heavy for a feature film of this magnitude and yet, it feels ultimately successful at being an accurate but dramatized portrait of modern American life. Though some archetypes are exaggerated slightly, such as the overprotective mom who has a support group that hands out pamphlets titled "The Dangers of Selfies", there is substantial justifiable honesty to this reality. It helps that Reitman chose to make the film more scathingly honest and therefore indie than superficial box office behemoth.

Since Men, Women & Children is an ensemble piece, the film was able to be stacked with notable actors and promising young actors: Adam Sandler, Rosemarie Dewitt, Jennifer Garner, Dean Norris, Judy Greer, Ansel Elgort, Kaitlyn Dever, Olivia Crocicchia, and Elena Kampouris. There is no weak performance from any actor or actress in the film, all are strong and believable. Men, Women & Children should have a character that resonates with you, either because you are that person, have been in that situation or know someone who has.

To top it all off, the movie has a complementary soundtrack that is appropriately disassociated and hauntingly airy. Ideally this film should be watched by parents and children simultaneously but preferably they should watch the film on their own for the ultimate message to hit home.

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I read the book when it came out, and absolutely loved it. I won't go too in depth into the differences between the book and the movie. Some characters were cut, some stories were shortened and rearranged, and the ending is somewhat less dark. However, I would say that all of these changes are understandable when making a two hour movie. The soul of the book is still there though. If you liked the book, you will like the movie. The directing and acting are great, and I have zero complaints in this department.

I do have a few complaints, starting with some parts of the plot seem like they would be hard to follow if you haven't read the book. There were segments of the story that would have benefited from a little more time spent on them for clarity. I am a fan of long movies, and understand that a lot of people are not, but I think an extra 15 minutes could have made a big difference.

The narration seems to be a sore subject among the other reviews I've read, and I have to say I have mixed feelings. I like the idea of narration in a book-turned-movie. There's a certain amount of context and motive behind characters' actions that can get glossed over in a movie if there's no narration, but it was too inconsistent in this case. It either needed more narration, or it needed to be limited to just the intro and outro.

I think the major issue with the movie is that people are focusing on the wrong parts of it. Everyone wants to talk about the blunt sexual content, and the excessive use of technology in the movie. To me, those are the things that make it a realistic story. Perhaps that's just because I'm in my twenties, and blunt sexual content and excessive technology use are a large percentage of my life. People call this a movie about how technology is ruining and/or changing relationships. I disagree. This movie is about growing up, relationships, and miscommunication. Affairs aren't new. Questionable parenting isn't new. Body image issues aren't new. Sexual frustration isn't new. Depression isn't new. The movie shows technology not as a cause or effect of any of these things, but as being intertwined with them the exact way technology is intertwined with modern life. People are looking to MWC as a comment on technology in modern life, and finding it wishy- washy. But that's because it's not taking any sides, it's just showing how things are.

If you go in to this movie expecting an interesting story, rather than an editorial about technology, you'll probably enjoy it. Just don't bring your kids or your parents.