mytwobit

If you have been watching this genre of movies, teen coming of age comedies, then there is nothing new in here. I suppose it would be new for the newer generation. But don't expect a Ferris Bueller's Day Off, its more like a bad version of American Pie. Every character is predictable from the word go, there are no surprises here. Only surprise is that you reach the end of the movie, expecting something to 'lift' the movie but ultimately it falls flat. Was expecting at least one character to be 'irreverent' towards something but eventually everything falls in line very neatly. Also you realise after watching this movie why Asian students are acing the US education system.

Don't know why this hasn't been widely publicised? Love thrillers set in the Middle East of the 80s. So much was happening there and so little has been talked about. The film very brilliantly captures that era. May not be a flamboyant thriller but slowly pulls you into the story line and becomes engaging. Brilliant acting by the lead John Hamm and Rosalind Pike. His portrayal as the brooding Mason Skiles is very believable. Almost seems like an extension of his Mad Men persona. Wish to see more of him in the coming years. It's difficult to judge the politics of that time with the lenses of today you need to understand times were different. The film and story captures that well without taking sides.