Aardvark

I'm sorry to say, this movie didn't work for me at any level. The cast is strong and the ending is decent, but those are all the positives I can come up with.

The dialogue is terribly stilted and the storyline consistently doesn't seem to know where it wants to go. I would say save yourself the awkward and painful trek here. In a postscript, Jenny Slate's character may be the worst therapist in the history of movies (maybe she missed the classes on therapist/patient boundaries).

This film tells the story of a therapist who tries to help a client, but stumbles upon more problems than anticipated.

The story is not very interesting or captivating. I find it rather unconvincing and plain. Emotional crises or climaxes are absent in the film, making it rather uneventful. Frankly, I lost all interest in it half way through.

Jenny Slate is drop-dead gorgeous; and that's pretty much the only reason I watched this movie through to the end.

However, I don't get one thing: What does this movie have to do with an aardvark? The only time an aardvark is even related to in the flick is when the two brothers were apparently looking at one at the zoo when they were both young... and I still don't get it.

I went into this with low expectations because of the rating and came out with a big old smile on my face. There are some slightly fantastical elements to this film because the lead character has mental health issues, one of the main reasons I wanted to see this film. Josh is confused about his reality. And so is the viewer. It sets us in the mind of Josh, smart, vulnerable, but hopeful. The only awkward moments for me were between his therapist and the brother. It was messy, but that's the point, right? Life is messy, regardless of who you are. The film was beautifully shot. The night scenes with Josh especially, and the acting was fantastic. Josh makes a statement towards the end and I screamed. Because why not? At that point I was up for anything. This film isn't perfect but it IS thoughtful. It's all about perspectives and how we don't all see things the same way, whether it's a single event, or the world in general, but that doesn't mean we're not happy. Josh is a benevolent catalyst for change that leaves you wondering who really needed help the most. The last minute or so were perfect.

I really enjoyed this film and you will too, if you like movies that are not spoon fed to you. For the most part, it follows a pretty simple linear narrative, with occasional 'imaginary' sequences. Unless you are drunk while watching, these will make total sense based on the overall narrative structure.

The acting and directing is very good, especially if you are fan of Jon Hamm and Zachary Quinto.

Overall, it is a refreshing and interesting examination of how mental illness effects a person and those around them. While some people might find the film's themes of loneliness and despair too depressing, this film always keeps things light and moving.