The Problem with People

This movie has it in spades. Or, here, in shamrocks. But who needs insight and parable when you have Paul Reiser and Colm Meany who carry on admirably in this sweet harmless vehicle filled with, admittedly, cliche. But given the times, especially here in the States, and cliche is a fine distraction.

Well, there were some twists and turns......some not my cup of tea....... Focus, I feel, is that compromise to solve arguments can be an especially helpful reminder in these especially challenging days.

Have been a fan of a Paul's work and Colm's (from his days of Star Trek next generation). Things can get so out of hand with arguments and sometimes can be difficult to find a way where both parties are satisfied.

The movie a nice reminder to remember that both parties have very passionate issues sometimes. Even if you just watch the movie for the scenery in Ireland, it's worth it.

Greener than green.

This comedy is perfect for a Sunday afternoon - quite enjoyable, actually. The landscapes and atmosphere that Ireland or Scotland have to offer are just my thing. The film includes a few scenes that brought a genuine smile to my face, like when Ciaran arrives at the station to pick up Barry in a car just like Onslow's from Keeping Up Appearances.

One of the main characters is played by an actor for whom I have a great deal of nostalgia because I grew up watching films and TV series featuring him - I'm talking about Colm Meaney. I still remember him from MacGyver, Star Trek, and a few other films.

The first hour of gentle comedy "The Problem With People" does a good job restoring some of the recently lost trademark charm to Irish cinema, but then the main premise of Paul Reiser & Wally Marzano-Lesnevich's screenplay kicks in and it collapses into utter tosh. To honour dad Des Keogh's dying wish, Colm Meaney tries healing a generations old family rift by hosting American cousin Reiser (who he's never met) in his remote Irish town - which goes well over that first hour (even under Chris Cottam's basic direction) before the descent into silly guff. For maximum enjoyment watch the first hour with an Irish whisky in hand, then sleep through all the forgettable tripe.

This plot seemed for the first half hour or so to have great potential to do something new with an Irish diaspora theme. The actors and their direction were fine. That's what drew me in. The initial twist which flips the rich Irish-American/working class Irish national trope, rather nicely from its usual trajectory draws one in further. But the film then utterly fails to avoid the pitfalls of sentimentality, cliché, identitarian box-ticking and worse of all, half-arsed comedy script writing. And how the producers managed to find mediocre Irish music for the soundtrack is beyond me. Great Irish music is accessible everywhere! In the end, an utterly dreadful cockup of a promising premise.