Feed the Fish

Caught the cast and crew premiere of this romantic comedy (a genre I most often hate with a passion --think "New In Town"-- ), at a fine old Green Bay, Wisconsin movie-house this weekend. I presumed I would dislike it. WHAT A SURPRISE. The writer/director must be a comic writer or have hundreds of "funny" bones throughout his body, because there were loud laughs (two or more) during every scene! The film isn't so much about romance, as it pretends to be. It's about community, acceptance, and forgiving others --along with yourself. But COMEDY is so hard to pull off. Yet, wonder of wonders, this film feels REAL. And that makes the humor even funnier. From slapstick to comedy-of-embarrassment, from classic bedroom farce to intellectual jokes, all played equally well. The audience greeted it with consistent, loud laughter throughout the rough-cut. No big stars here, save Tony Shalhoub, but all the players were excellent character actors, up-and-comers, and/or stock roles that shone as brightly as the old pros who came on board. Maybe well see more of Matzdorff.

I just saw this last night, and I was delighted by the clever writing and the honest performances. Some situations stretch reality a bit, as any good comedy/farce does, but the writing always stays grounded in reality.

Barry Corbin turns in a layered and wonderful performance as a family patriarch, Tony Shalhoub is wonderful as usual, and the rest of the cast is fun, believable and interesting.

Although obviously shot on a limited budget, the director uses local scenery and architecture to paint a rich background to the plot.

I'd like to see more from director Michael Matzdorff, and from the entire cast!

This movie begins in Venice, CA and ends in Lake Michigan, WI, along the way it examines the dynamics of several relationships between friends and family through slapstick comedy and some moments of real pathos. A genuinely funny movie which will have you laughing out loud, empathizing with the characters and hoping against hope that impending disasters are averted and yet when the worst happens laugh along with the characters at the delicious futility of man made plans. The picture celebrates community, family, friendship and relationships through a series of interactions that are commonplace and yet unique to the peculiarities of the writer/director's vision. I had a genuine sense of loss at the end of the movie and suspect that the writer has all the ingredients for a very successful TV series as there are many characters that could bear further development. I suppose that is the power of the writing as even minor characters are endowed with enough personality to intrigue. The nurse and the waiter are two cases to point. Tony Shalhoub brilliantly underplays his role but the ice cream cones must go to Katie Aselton and Ross Partridge who make it all work.

Have no idea why no one has heard of this brilliant romantic Christmas comedy. Has none of the modern day movie crap just fun great comedy with phenomenal acting and a great cast you get to know and like. Shaloub is always brilliant that's a given but the rest of the cast all shine, EVERYONE!! I'm so glad I purchased this as it's now going to be part of our Christmas movie rotation, if you liked while you were sleeping this is for you!!!!! It just taught me that predictable can be joyous!! BRAVO!! To the whole cast and crew.

Starting off this movie seemed kind of interesting and quirky. It definitely had the potential to be a good, off beat romantic comedy, but sadly it just falls flat.

The lack of character and relationship development makes the story seem rather sterile and leaves you not really believing or caring about the characters. Things just seemed kind of rushed, as if the director was trying to put too much story, and relationships, into a too little time frame which leaves the viewer withdrawn and unable to form an emotional bond with any of the characters. I would have liked to see more about the relationship between the sheriff and his father, as well as a longer courtship between Sif and Joe. The story line just seemed very disjointed and unable to take advantage of it's full potential.

I could not say I really did not like it, was just disappointed it was not as good as it could have been and turned out to be a bellow average romantic comedy.