hughchilles

In hindsight an interesting movie, Ben Stiller directing, has Owen Wilson in there, Bob Odenkirk makes a subtle appearance as does David Cross, interesting to see them all so long ago and Jack Black. It's interesting this film was received poorly when the framework is very similar to films like Meet the Parents and Anger Management. Leslie Mann also in there before finding fame in Judd Apatow films. I think a big issue with it all is Carrey, he's the best and worst of the film, it needs his chaotic impressions to make the character but then you're always aware you're watching Carrey act. Likewise Broderick there playing the neutral audience member as best as he can but hard to relate to his position at times when coming clean could make things much easier, one of those suspend disbelief stories with relatable elements. Doesn't deserve the hate it received but likewise not a lot of rewatchability to it all. The overarching message of the film is better than it's parts.

I love everything about this movie, the art direction, sets, performances, casting, it is a beautiful surreal experience with it's wide lens shots it feels 3Dimensional like a fairytale artwork come to life. The 2.5hrs don't overstay their welcome, I am glad he didn't do it as 3 films. The performance of the creature actor especially shines, he throws his all at it, he is on par with Doug Jones in creature performance here, just disappears into the character. My biggest gripe, and it is a big one, worth losing 3/10 points, is the order the story is told in. In order to have the character narrate and tell their story they start at the end and work backwards. The cinema trend of "You're probably wondering how I got here" comes to mind and I really hate those kind of stories. If this movie was told in chronological order, it would be a 10/10 for me; but that trait of it is both a key factor of the movie and the only flaw to the whole experience. That said it still surprises you and even with that kind of structure, Del Toro manages to do it better than others would, and I get why he did, it reflects the novel more faithfully, but I still think it was a mistake.