Two Days

I really enjoyed the cast of this film. Paul Rudd was really good. I usually see him as a funny guy, but he acted more dramatic in this film and he was pretty good. There was one scene towards the end that really got to me and I didn't know Paul Rudd could act like that. The film had an interesting story line. It is about a man who wants to kill himself and he has some of his friends video tape it like a documentary. The only problem with this film was that it seemed too boring at times. Like there was not much going on. Some of the characters personalities made up for it at points, but not all the time. Adam Scott was pretty funny as his character. His outfits were probably the best. So overall, it was a decent film. I just wanted to see more to it.

I won't say that this is an excellent movie...there are things that would have certainly made it better. I thought that some of the actual movie footage was distracting. There was so much footage of the documentary (and the documentary of the documentary) that I found the cuts back to actual movie distracting at times (yes, this was really a movie about a documentary and a documentary about that documentary).

That having been said, I thought there was a lot to like about the movie as well. The acting was very very good (Paul Rudd was especially good). It was also (I thought) a rather novel approach to the subject matter. Definitely worth watching.

I just picked up Two Days on a whim at the rental store, and was more than pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I found Paul Rudd's performance moving and the rest of the characters to be involved in a sort of black comedy. I don't usually comment on movies but I wouldn't want the previous user's comment to dissuade someone from seeing a worthwhile film. Subjects don't have to be dissected in order for them to have meaning, so I don't feel that the film needed any improvement. I found the crafting of the screenplay itself to be original, even for an independent film. In response to the prior user's comment on the lack of reflection on suicide, I'd like to contend that Two Days is not a film about suicide, it's a film about life.

One of the hardest things to pull off is a comedy mixed with serious drama. This film does it well. The acting is superb and the story is engaging.

Most of the craziness revolves around the main character, who remains steadfast in his resolve to kill himself even as others plot to change his mind or refuse to take him seriously. The actress who plays his girl friend, Rachel, could be the next Halle Berry. Beautiful and talented. Some of the other actors are also deserving of bigger and better roles in the future.

This film just came out on DVD-- check it out.

In regard to the scene on the beach-- I think his intent is made clear by his statement about the credit cards.

TWO DAYS (US, 2003)

Director: Sean McGinley Starring: Paul Rudd, Donal Logue

I caught this movie on cable by accident and it managed to surprise me. It places Paul Rudd as a failing actor named Paul Miller who, having decided to commit suicide, hires a film crew to document his last days. A depressing subject, but handled beautifully.

In the beginning, we are unsure if Paul is joking or not. He constantly whines about his life, yet from the friends who are interviewed in the documentary within the film, we feel that he may be doing it for the attention. At least they think so. The crew goes from best friend to ex fling to ex girlfriend to his agent, each trying to convince him not to do it, and each time he seems to soften up a little to the idea of life. After each visit, the crew asks if he still wants to kill himself. He seems not to be fazed.

Why would someone want to film himself in his last days, culminating in his death (which would label the doc a snuff movie)? It's almost as if he wants them to talk him out of it, although throughout the film he simply shrugs and says to his new buddies with the cameras "I'm still doing it." And why not? We learn that his agent won't return his calls, neither will his successful actor friend who suddenly invites him to work with him. Also, in a fantastically touching scene where Paul demonstrates his acting ability (and a revelation from Paul Rudd as well) we can see how frustrated he has become. He IS incredibly talented, yet still no joy. Soon the crew members are rooting for him, they become his best friends after a period of only two days. This is as much a comedy as a drama and until seeing the film, it's hard to see how, but it is there. In the final scenes where Paul has to make his major decision, we are not treated to atmospheric music or flashy jump cutting that any mainstream film may use to create the right intensity. Instead the finale relies solely on Rudd's excellent performance and the alternating between the film stock and the video footage used by the documentary crew.

Having said all that, there are some minor quibbles. In the film's midsection, it drags as dialogue is repeated as the structure of the first act recurs in the second. The filmmakers are trying to make the point that no matter how many people try to talk him out of it, he's not budging, but we got that, we understand without it, so it just seems like padding. That and a pointless subplot involving a relationship between Stu the producer's girlfriend and the sound man are a tad out of place and not in keeping with the story. In some films you need these subplots, maybe for comic relief or to set up plot devices for later on. This film is not one of them. That and Stu the producer gets on your nerves after a while. However, the acting is superb, especially from Rudd who really sinks his teeth into the role, the kind he hardly ever gets, and the direction is skilfully handled switching between what we see and what the documentary crew sees through their cameras. An engaging little indie flick.