karen-128
Joined Jun 2000
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karen-128's rating
I say 'surprisingly' because the rating is so low, I didn't know what to expect.
But it's a delightful little caper movie, driven (as all good movies are) by the performers and a tight script by Robert Benton, not known for his enjoyable caper movies!
Jeff Bridges all but steals the film from a delightful Kim Basinger, and the two of them together set the screen on fire. They are surrounded by some of the best character actors working today, including Rip Torn. As I was watching this I thought how smart Robert Benton is for casting real actors, and having the comedy come out of their behaviour and talent, rather than casting 'wacky comedians' and reducing the story to little bits.
A lot of fun, and worth seeing.
But it's a delightful little caper movie, driven (as all good movies are) by the performers and a tight script by Robert Benton, not known for his enjoyable caper movies!
Jeff Bridges all but steals the film from a delightful Kim Basinger, and the two of them together set the screen on fire. They are surrounded by some of the best character actors working today, including Rip Torn. As I was watching this I thought how smart Robert Benton is for casting real actors, and having the comedy come out of their behaviour and talent, rather than casting 'wacky comedians' and reducing the story to little bits.
A lot of fun, and worth seeing.
I'm not sure it's as fun as the poster, but this was a fun movie.
After seeing Napoleon Dynamite, I didn't' know what to expect from this director on his second movie, but it's really kind of similar in an odd way.
The camera doesn't really move much. In fact, it looks like a film student could have made this movie. Except for the fact that a film student wouldn't have the guts NOT to move the camera!
Like Dynamite, the strength of this movie is the performances, in this case Jack Black, who makes the whole film work. You have to be a Jack Black fan though, my friend who isn't really didn't care much for the film. I was surprised to see it delving deeper than the hysterical poster and premise led me to believe. I love that they tried to have a little message hidden in there.
I won't go into the plot. I'll just say look at the poster, think about Jack Black, and check it out if either of those two get you going.
After seeing Napoleon Dynamite, I didn't' know what to expect from this director on his second movie, but it's really kind of similar in an odd way.
The camera doesn't really move much. In fact, it looks like a film student could have made this movie. Except for the fact that a film student wouldn't have the guts NOT to move the camera!
Like Dynamite, the strength of this movie is the performances, in this case Jack Black, who makes the whole film work. You have to be a Jack Black fan though, my friend who isn't really didn't care much for the film. I was surprised to see it delving deeper than the hysterical poster and premise led me to believe. I love that they tried to have a little message hidden in there.
I won't go into the plot. I'll just say look at the poster, think about Jack Black, and check it out if either of those two get you going.
I saw this on the last night of the LA Film Festival, and it was a treat.
The plot, such as it is, is about a group of friends getting together for 'one last party' at a house about to be sold, an '80's Rage', where they dress up like their favorite 80's icons, Madonna, Tom Cruise, etc. There's even a funny reference to 'that Gorbachov dude'.
But it's really about a lost past, missed opportunities, and cleaning out the cobwebs of old relationships. Sounds kind of heavy, but it's really really funny.
The cast is great, from the radiant Ione Skye (Say Anything) to straight laced Tate Donovan (The O.C.) to David Herman as the 'former child star', who just about steals every scene that he's in. But the 'jubilant engine' that kicks it into high gear is Eric Stoltz (Pulp Fiction), who I didn't' know even did comedy. He's hysterical, and every time he's on screen the film goes to a different, wackier place.
It has one of those soundtracks that make you want to go out and buy it. Which I tried to do at the Virgin Records outside the theater, but they didn't' have it yet. Every 80's hit song you can remember is somehow in this film, it's a little like BEING at the actual party!
In fact, the whole film is like being at a party. A lot of fun.
The plot, such as it is, is about a group of friends getting together for 'one last party' at a house about to be sold, an '80's Rage', where they dress up like their favorite 80's icons, Madonna, Tom Cruise, etc. There's even a funny reference to 'that Gorbachov dude'.
But it's really about a lost past, missed opportunities, and cleaning out the cobwebs of old relationships. Sounds kind of heavy, but it's really really funny.
The cast is great, from the radiant Ione Skye (Say Anything) to straight laced Tate Donovan (The O.C.) to David Herman as the 'former child star', who just about steals every scene that he's in. But the 'jubilant engine' that kicks it into high gear is Eric Stoltz (Pulp Fiction), who I didn't' know even did comedy. He's hysterical, and every time he's on screen the film goes to a different, wackier place.
It has one of those soundtracks that make you want to go out and buy it. Which I tried to do at the Virgin Records outside the theater, but they didn't' have it yet. Every 80's hit song you can remember is somehow in this film, it's a little like BEING at the actual party!
In fact, the whole film is like being at a party. A lot of fun.