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Swimming With Men Movie Review

December 7, 2018 (updated December 7, 2018) Published by Shari K. Green

‘Swimming with Men,’ is a British comedy from, Oliver Parker, the director of ‘Johnny English Reborn,’ ‘The Importance of BeingEarnest’ and ‘An Ideal Husband.’ Putting it in the category of comedy fits to a degree but not fully in that the movie struggles at times focusing on who their natural audience member will be. It often gives off a heavy vibe rather than a light one and isn’t terribly funny. To its detriment, the story doesn’t set the viewer on the right path to begin with. Your expectations of the film are set toward one direction when the film runs off in another. It winds its way down several paths to find its eventual ending. Working for it is the fact that what that ending turns out to be, is not what you necessarily saw coming. You could compare ‘Swimming with Men’ to movies like, ‘The Full Monty’ but that said, it doesn’t quite meet those heights.

The film’s protagonist is Eric Scott, Rob Brydon from ‘The Trip’ movies, who becomes his own antagonist by inventing troubles that are not there. This will only frustrate you as the story goes on. When we’re introduced to Eric, we see that he’s in the midst of a mid-life crisis. He’s bored with his mundane accounting position at work, his son is giving him a hard time and then there’s his wife, Heather (Jane Horrocks). Without any real reason, he imagines she’s out to get him. What’s peculiar is that instead of attempting to tread water with Heather, who’s more than willing to float along with Eric, he’s running away from her. He’d prefer to spend time at the gym. This is where he meets a gaggle of men who are in similar situations in their lives. They, too, feel that they’re the odd men out and are misplaced in their current stations in life.

The men invite Eric to join their exclusive swim club where men who end up, ‘At the bottom of the pool’ literally and figuratively, meet toforget the world outside of the water. Here they can escape the callousjudgments, petty rivalries, disappointments, and pressures of life on dry land.

Eric is needed to create a particular maneuver they’d like to form so, as it turns out, they come into his life at the right time as much as he does theirs. Where the comedy comes in is getting to know each of them. That being the case, even they don’t necessarily set the tone for the comedy genre. I’d put this in the drama department myself. Don’t get me wrong; there are some laughs. These men getting to know Eric, especially scenes like when they give him ‘Fight Club’ type rules of their swim club, are comical. The men take their love of the sport of synchronized swimming very seriously. They’re told about a men’s league where they can start swimming, professionally. The sport isn’t recognized officially by the Olympics, but they get a chance to represent their country in the Men’s World Championship. Some members of the group aren’t interested but Eric sees it as a way to feel a part of something and soon the rest do, too. Quite surprisingly, especially to them, they end up doing quite well at the competition.

In a touching scene, Ted (Carter) gives Eric a message that awakens him from his stupor and there’s a lively scene right before the credits that show he has truly changed inside. Though the movie might not always reach the goal of amusing you as you had hoped, there’s something you learn at the end of the film that makes everything you’ve seen worth the time you’ve put in. The one real disappointment is that if the filmmakers had nailed down the exact genre they wanted to be, ‘Swimming with Men’ would have been all the better for it. As it turns out, it’s a likable watch for a matinee or to catch while flipping through your cable box.

*Opening Dec. 7th in Phx area at Harkins Shea 14 and inSedona at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre
**Also opening Dec. 12th at the Flagstaff 16

The Favourite Movie Review

November 30, 2018 (updated November 30, 2018) Published by Shari K. Green

I recommend you drop everything and see this on the big screen immediately! There’s a reason why so many films come out toward the end of the year. Often that logic is based upon the fact that they’ve saved the best for the last. That would be the case here. ‘The Favourite’ is a significant contribution to the films of 2018. It even far surpassed my expectations in fact. It’s masterfully crafted and incredibly well written. The three lead actresses are exceptionally strong in this, the latest work from the skilled raconteur of ‘The Lobster’ and ‘The Killing of a Sacred Deer,’ Yorgos Lanthimos.

‘The Favourite’ does have an altogether different spirit from either of his previous films. If you do have a strong opinion of his earlier work, you shouldn’t necessarily base your decision on whether or not to see this on your opinion of them. One reason to sit down and give this a watch that stands out above the others is that those films didn’t have this exceptional trio of women in their cast. These same actresses will now be giving the Academy a difficult choice over who to choose for an award and for which award. Not a bad pickle to be in but one they’ll be in to be sure.

The script by Deborah Davis and Tony McNamara was more comical than I had expected it to be which was quite a pleasant surprise. Getting to know the women and fully coming to realize the rivalry between them for the favor of the Queen was as delicious as waiting for a steak to cook that had been marinating all day. The performances undeniably complement the script. That said, some accents can make it hard to understand exactly what they’re saying at times, but this doesn’t distract from your overall enjoyment of the film. You won’t miss the sharp intellect written into the dialogue and the keen wit it took to come up with the story in the first place.

The film is set in England, early in the 18th century. Olivia Colman plays ailing Queen Anne who finds more than just a friendship in Lady Sarah, played by Rachel Weisz. With the position she has put herself, Lady Sarah is essentially running the country. The Queen fully trusts her and makes no decision without her input. Enter young Abigail (Stone) who’s fallen on hard times. She hopes, since they are cousins, Lady Sarah will give her a position in the palace. Jealous of the beautiful young woman, yet enamored with her charms, Sarah gives her work and a place to stay and proceeds to get to know her. With more than kitchen work on her mind, Abigail uses her position with Sarah to get to know the Queen more. Soon, she finds herself in the catbird seat where she accidentally learns more about Sarah and Anne’s relationship than she had bargained for. Being in the right place at the right time, Abigail sees that they’re lovers, as well. She then decides to use this knowledge to her full advantage.

As Abigail moves her piece on the chessboard of life, Sarah starts to get suspicious. The music, politics, relationships, and discourse build from there. The story is impressively structured, and it’ll keep you riveted throughout, enough that I feel confident you’ll walk away possibly considering ‘The Favourite’ one of your favorites for 2018. The ending is pure Lanthimos. When Sarah questions Abigail about whether she thinks she has won, you’re eventually shown what winning would be if she does. A life of being at the queen’s beck and call to rub her ‘leg’ at a moments notice doesn’t sound fun. Is this the life she was looking forward to?

What Men Want Red Band Trailer

November 26, 2018 (updated November 26, 2018) Published by Shari K. Green

Ali Davis (Taraji P. Henson) is a successful sports agent who’s constantly boxed out by her male colleagues. When Ali is passed up for a well-deserved promotion, she questions what else she needs to do to succeed in a man’s world… until she gains the ability to hear men’s thoughts! With her newfound power, Ali looks to outsmart her colleagues as she races to sign the next basketball superstar, but the lengths she has to go to will put her relationship with her best friends and a potential new love interest (Aldis Hodge) to the test.

WHAT MEN WANT is the latest comedy from director Adam Shankman (HAIRSPRAY) and producers Will Packer and James Lopez (GIRLS TRIP), co-starring Tracy Morgan, Richard Roundtree, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Josh Brener, Tamala Jones, Phoebe Robinson, Max Greenfield, Jason Jones, Brian Bosworth, Chris Witaske and Erykah Badu.

Directed by:

Adam Shankman

Starring:

Taraji P. Henson, Aldis Hodge, Richard Roundtree, Wendi McLendon-Covey and Tracy Morgan

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In Theaters February 8th, 2019

http://www.fandango.com

Ralph Breaks the Internet Movie Review

November 21, 2018 (updated November 21, 2018) Published by JMcNaughton

“Ralph Breaks the Internet” proves that Disney Animation can make a sequel based on its legacy of great movies, and does not “Wreck-It”. “Ralph” is a follow-up edition to “Wreck-It Ralph”, which introduced some arcade video game characters. It had a smart story line and large group of quirky, yet lovable, characters. This new update to the continuing “Ralph” story takes two main characters beyond the walls of Litwak’s Arcade. They venture out into the Internet, which Ralph promptly breaks… The online community is not ready for the big, lovable doofus of Ralph, so he takes the Internet by storm.

In the first movie (“Wreck-It Ralph”), Ralph (John C. Reilly) has a job in an arcade game called “Fix-It Felix Jr.” Felix (Jack McBrayer) has met his true love Sergeant Calhoun (Jane Lynch). Ralph’s best friend is Vanellope von Schweetz (Sarah Silverman), who is go-kart racer from “Sugar Rush”. Vanellope has a ‘glitch’, which gives her unusual functions. She is tired of her life in the Sugar Rush game, and she would like to see much more of the world. Ralph is very content with the state of things, while Vanellope needs to expand her horizons.

After a part breaks on the Sugar Rush game, Mr. Litwak (Ed O’Neill) is forced to unplug this game. All the characters rush out and now are homelessa. Litwak has just installed a router that connects to the Internet, so Ralph and Vanellope find their way into it. They have heard that a new part can be purchased on-line for the Sugar Rush game. They intend to go to that website and bid for that part. But when they bid way too much, they need to find a way to get money to pay for it. Ralph finds a site called BuzzTube, and it is run by an algorithm named Yesss (Taraji P. Henson). She explains that Ralph can become an Internet sensation by creating viral videos. That could get the money they need.

Vanellope and Ralph also find an online video game called ‘Slaughter Race’. It is dirty and grungy and there are no rules. Vanellope thinks it is the perfect world for her racing future. The best racer in that game is named Shank (Gal Gadot), and she has the best car and best skills. She and her crew raise havoc with all the online gamers, because she always wins. Vanellope has met her match with Shank, and she wants to stay in Slaughter Race forever to race her heart out.

When Vanellope goes to a Disney website and meets with all the other Disney Princesses. She likes them all, and they accept her as another real Princess – but she does not feel at home there. Ralph just wants to buy that part to fix Sugar Rush, and then get home to his game. But Ralph begins to worry that his best friend Vanellope will not be coming with him.

Ralph lets his worry and his doubt take over, and he does something really dumb. He wants to convince Vanellope that she should come back to the arcade with him. But Ralph’s plan backfires, in a really big way. The Internet is threatened by the bone-headed move that Ralph makes, and Vanellope is in real danger. Shank tries to help Vanellope, and also later on the Disney Princesses come to her rescue. Ralph finally learns a big lesson that friendship is stronger than distance. Vanellope can still be his best friend, even if they are in two different places. The Internet is saved, and Sugar Rush gets repaired…

“Ralph Breaks the Internet” takes the characters from the first movie and gives them a new and expanded universe to explore. Getting the two main game characters (Ralph and Vanellope) into the Internet-at-large is a terrific concept. Ralph is a ‘fish out of water’ type, while Vanellope embraces all that the new horizons can offer to her. Because this is a Disney movie, all of the properties they own (Marvel, Pixar, Star Wars, Disney Princesses, Winnie-the-Pooh, and others) all make a brief appearance.

John C. Reilly does the voice of Ralph, and he proves himself to be a work horse, not a show horse. He is a steady and reliable character voice for the big lug, and it fits him perfectly. Gal Gadot does the voice of Shank, the attractive and super-cool driver in the ‘Slaughter Race’ online game. She is strong and capable, and she becomes a new friend to Vanellope. Taraji P. Henson plays Yesss, and her character is quite quirky. She searches for the next huge viral video, and she encourages Ralph to become a video star.

But then we come to the weakest part of this movie. Sarah Silverman does the voice of Vanellope. But her character’s voice is such a whiney, nasally and annoying voice that it can grate on your nerves. In the first movie, this character was introduced about midway into the stroy. So Vanellope’s voice gets a LOT more screen time in this movie. Vanellope is supposed to be cute and precocious character. But she leans heavy into being more annoying than sweet. However, her character and Ralph are the main two roles, so you get much, much more of the least enjoyable voice in the bunch.

Instant Family Movie Review

November 16, 2018 (updated November 16, 2018) Published by Shari K. Green

‘Instant Family’ is about Pete (Wahlberg) and Ellie (Byrne) who want a family but aren’t exactly young. They’ve both had a lot of fun and experience in their lives, lives they’ve lived very well mind you, and have a lot to offer. They have a great business and a beautiful home but look around one day and realize they have no one to share it with. With this acknowledgment, they’re suddenly struck with an idea. At their age, instead of having a baby, they decide to adopt. This is also the true tale of where the narrative was born.

The film is an important take on children, both young and old, in the country’s foster system. I applaud its good intentions but it’s full of contrived jokes that feel labored rather than spontaneous. I do like the story behind the story as much as I enjoyed watching what foster parents Pete and Ellie felt compelled to do but the movie was somewhat excessive at times.

Based on their own experiences with adoption writers Sean Anders and John Morris want you to know the truth of things. They want you to see that teenagers are neglected by people looking to adopt. Unfortunately, more often than not, this leads to building resentments. Their attitudes grow bitter and a teenager in the system will find it harder to be placed somewhere they can call home.

This effort is more than admirable. Nonetheless, Anders and Morris went overboard and stuffed everything they went through or witnessed into one film. The movie is respectable, but this wasn’t necessary for the audience to pick up on their message, leading to it being a lot to take in at times. Another miscalculation from the team was slapping into the script pranks and antics to force the comedic side of awkward moments with their new family. The sillier things became made genuine moments feel phony.

Pete and Ellie adopt a teenager, Lizzie (Moner), who comes with two young siblings named Lita and Juan. Lizzie is your typical angst-filled fifteen-year-old but put in this position has taken on the role of mama bear to the younger cubs. Shifting from home to home, with bags full of ‘court bears,’ she doesn’t believe, or is incapable of believing, she’ll ever be loved. She likes Pete and Ellie, sees how lucky she is, but has been disappointed before. Lizzie has been hurt so often that she won’t allow Lita and Juan to go through it, too, so she creates barriers in the guise of being helpful… at first. Then she drops the charm. When she shows her guarded side, Pete and Ellie almost give up but, coming to terms with the fact that being parents isn’t easy, they resist the urge to send the children back.

Sadly, they have the added pressure of competing with their real mother who shows up when it’s most convenient for her. Of course, you were expecting this to happen, but it is moving when it does. That said, it’s mostly because of Moner’s performance more than anything else. For a brief moment, you see her heart. The biggest highlights of the film come from its smallest moments. At its most basic and what Anders fixates on the least, is when the film is at its best.

You’ll love performances from Octavia Spencer and Tig Notaro as their counselors. Bringing in Margo Martindale and Julie Hagerty as dueling grandmothers was a nice touch, you’ll appreciate. However, Anders goes too far with a good thing with adding Joan Cusack’s nosey neighbor. Her character starts out well but ends with you shaking your head. ‘Instant Family’ is ultimately worth watching but paying matinee price is best for you and yours.

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The Ballad of Buster Scruggs Movie Review

November 16, 2018 (updated November 16, 2018) Published by Shari K. Green

Before I get into the meat of this review, let me tell you a few things about the movie for which I reviewed. ‘The Ballad of Buster Scruggs’ is a flick with several short stories within the two hour and twelve-minute film. The first short introduces the fabulously subtle Tim Blake Nelson as ‘Buster Scruggs’ in the segment called ‘The Ballad of Buster Scruggs’ which, by the way, is fantastic! It’s everything you could possibly hope for. It felt to me very much like one of my favorite Coen Brothers movies, their 2000 hit, ‘O Brother, Where Art Thou?’ Once it started, I could see I wasn’t going to be disappointed so I settled in my seat, ready for another gem which, luckily, I was getting. I’m watching Scruggs on his horse and I’m loving it. This is what I came here for!

Buster’s scenes are about a singing cowboy and within the songs, some of the most shrewd and imaginative narration develops from this extremely exaggerated character and the situations he finds himself. His self-confidence makes it even funnier.

You’re a tad rattled when that segment ends, and we move onto the next. This one is called ‘Near Algodones,’ which stars James Franco. Very creatively and artistically, each segment is treated as a chapter book. It’s clever how it prepares the mind for something special. I watched. I waited and was rather disappointed when that extraordinary tale didn’t quite pan out as I had hoped. It was passable but what the film has already given, you look for here… and it just isn’t there. Its narration and some of the humor fairs well enough but it felt too short to allow you any real time with the characters. You can’t know or care much for them so ending it so abruptly doesn’t work. Perhaps the next will be better. No one’s perfect after all. Well, to my dismay, it wasn’t any better. It wasn’t tragic, but it does lead one to wonder what time it is. We want to and need to learn more about these characters before we move on… but we don’t. This is a sizeable lapse in judgment throughout the feature.

The third story is called ‘Meal Ticket.’ It stars Liam Neeson and, to be honest, doesn’t feel much like it fits. It’s about a man taking advantage of another man who’s in desperate need of help. When he can be easily replaced, he is… and it the most horrible way. It’s quite depressing and sad. And it gets altogether boring as it repeats itself. I can’t think of a single thing about this section that could be especially celebrated. However, I did enjoy some of the next narrative. It could be seen as dismal but portions of it made me smile. ‘All Gold Canyon,’ starring Tom Waits as a prospector panning for gold, is visually relaxing. A common theme in each film, though they’re separate from one another, arises. You realize that the lead character in each of the segments dies. However, with this piece, the scenery is so beautiful. As the prospector tears up the land looking for his ‘Mr. Pocket’ of gold, you find that the lead isn’t quite as easy to pick out. With what he’s doing, and what will happen to this paradise, it’s the land itself that will die.

There are more chapters, but I’ll end by saying this. Have no fear. Throughout the film, there does appear bits of sparkling brilliance that I have come to expect from the Coen’s. When these moments come the film couldn’t be better. Each of the stories has proficient and competent hands writing and directing them so why wouldn’t we see their unquestionable talent?! We do but that’s also the unfortunate question. Why didn’t we see it more often? These were anticlimactic. With the way most unfolded, it’ll leave you feeling cheated to a degree.

I’ll boil it down for you as to why. The trailer seemed to have promised so much more. Your sheer disappointment in the film as a whole is evident in how much you cling to hope that each tale improves. Your love for their storytelling will keep you hanging in, which I did, do and always will with their work. I believe the biggest and most obvious problem with this is there wasn’t enough time for development. Each story is GOOD and you want MORE so what was the point in leaving everyone hanging? If they make separate films or a series, which could very well be what’ll happen, I’m invested 100%!! And I sincerely hope they do.

Toy Story 4 – Teaser Trailer!!

November 14, 2018 (updated November 14, 2018) Published by Shari K. Green

Who’s excited?! I know I am!! The gang is back!! Yep! Woody and the rest of the toys are back for an all-new adventure in “Toy Story 4,” welcoming new friends to Bonnie’s room, including a reluctant new toy called Forky. “Like most people, I assumed that ‘Toy Story 3’ was the end of the story,” said director Josh Cooley. “And it was the end of Woody’s story with Andy. But just like in life, every ending is a new beginning. Woody now being in a new room, with new toys, and a new kid, was something we have never seen before. The questions of what that would be like became the beginning of an entertaining story worth exploring.”

‘Toy Story 4’ stars Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Don Rickles, Estelle Harris, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, Jeff Pidgeon, Blake Clark and Tony Hale.
It’s directed by Josh Cooley (“Riley’s First Date?”), produced by Jonas Rivera (“Inside Out,” “Up”) and Mark Nielsen (associate producer “Inside Out”).

About the franchise:

“Toy Story,” originally released on Nov. 22, 1995, was the first fully computer-animated feature film and the highest grossing movie of the year. It was nominated for three Oscars® and two Golden Globes®.
“Toy Story 2” is the first film ever to be entirely created, mastered and exhibited digitally. It was also the first animated sequel to gross more than its original, breaking opening weekend box office records in the U.S., UK and Japan, becoming the highest grossing animated release of 1999. It won the Golden Globe for best motion picture – comedy or musical. It won a Grammy®for best song written for a motion picture, television or other visual media (Randy Newman, “When She Loved Me”).
Released in 2010, “Toy Story 3” won Oscars® for best-animated feature film and best achievement in music written for motion pictures, original song (Randy Newman/“We Belong Together”). The film also won a Golden Globe® and BAFTA for best-animated film. It was the second Pixar film to be nominated for the best picture Oscar. It’s also Pixar’s second highest-grossing film of all time behind “Incredibles 2.”
The 2015 short “Riley’s First Date?” was helmed by director Josh Cooley and produced by Mark Nielsen.

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In Theaters June 21, 2019

http://www.fandango.com

The Grinch (2018) Movie Review

November 9, 2018 (updated November 16, 2018) Published by Shari K. Green

The first question that may have entered your mind upon hearing there would be another Grinch movie was most likely, ‘Why?’ To that question Illumination and Universal Pictures, who are making this their eighth animated feature says, ‘Why not.’ Their skills are magical and that fact is palpable while watching this new, fresh take on the beloved Dr. Seuss’ classic. There have been others but if a new generation wants to give it a go, put their twist on things, they could hardly do better with this talented group. Academy Award® nominee, Benedict Cumberbatch, makes a great Grinch, coming off appropriately grumpy yet when needed, perfectly delivering and revealing his softer, broken heart inside. He may try to hide it but doesn’t do very well.

‘The Grinch’ is the story of a cave-dwelling misanthrope who, after being denied Christmas as a child, aims to do the same to everyone in Whoville. He’s getting back at those who hurt him by taking it out on everyone else. He needs therapy.

So, he recruits his faithful dog, Max, to help. While on the hunt for reindeer to sell his charade, he finds one oddball, kind of kooky deer named Fred. With his trinkets and gadgets, sleigh and deer, he as Santa, can easily swoop in and swipe everyone’s presents, tree’s, lights and cookies. Note to parents: Fred brings several giggles from the youngest in the crowd as he’s warm and cuddly. I’m sure toys of this guy will be everywhere. They’ll most certainly be wanted.

Flowing in and out of Pharrell Williams’ narration and the poetry of the original story plus adding the novelty managed in this rendition, this is a movie the kids can’t miss. We do meet new characters along the way but there’s always little, adorable, sweet Cindy-Lou Who to thwart the plans of this Grinch. What he doesn’t see coming is that she’s made plans of her own and that was to make sure she spoke to him. She has set a trap. She does catch him in the act and, trusting he’s the real deal, explains she wants only for her mother to be happy. Cindy-Lou is a genuine and giving soul who the Grinch couldn’t possibly see any fault with. This puts him in a bind. Maybe there’s good in this world after all? If so, can he go through with his assault on it?

If you liked the other movies, and the story as a whole, you’re going to like this, as well. Sure, it’s the same story but his coloring is bright and more agreeable, his shoes are as fuzzy as he is and it’s very relatable. They’ve added moments such as his ‘emotional eating’ and playing the song ‘All By Myself’ on the organ. There’s also a flashback where you see him as a child. Alone. No Christmas. If done well, there’s nothing wrong with taking an animated classic and improving or upgrading it. Having Illumination involved with this was a blessing. You’ll be entertained and so will the kids.

WEBSITE: http://www.grinchmovie.com/

Lez Bomb Movie Review

November 9, 2018 (updated November 16, 2018) Published by Shari K. Green

Coming out films are often stories filled with struggle and pain. The writers and directors generally fill the hearts and minds of their audiences with some of the trauma that a person who’s in love with the same sex oftentimes goes through. This isn’t the case with ‘Lez Bomb.’ This is a comedic take on how Lauren, played by the writer/director herself, Jenna Laurenzo, marches up that hill with a family who simply won’t listen. She’s nervous. She’s scared. However, she also feels confident enough in their acceptance that she chooses Thanksgiving to tell them the big news. Maybe she figures the tryptophan will relax them enough. If that doesn’t work, there’s plenty of wine.

On Thanksgiving morning, before other arrivals, Lauren finds a moment alone with her mother, Rose (O’Connell), to tell her who she really is. Rose, playing a caring mother with naïve tendencies, doesn’t really give Rose any reason to fear telling her but she’s simply too busy to give her daughter any of her attention. She’s running around the kitchen like a chicken with its head cut off. Very much like a television sitcom, this scene along with many others following, felt contrived. Lauren finds out that her parents have been looking at her social media accounts and have short-sightedly mistaken a friendship with her male roommate, Austin (Brandon Micheal Hall), as the relationship she’s trying to hide. They also believe she’s pregnant. Even though Lauren is an adult and they like Austin, this suddenly becomes a problem, one of which her father, George (Pollak), threatens Austin’s life unless he officially brings the relationship to light. As the movie continues, what is revealed isn’t what poor Lauren is trying so desperately to shed light on, but instead how insane her family is. They stumble over one another, refusing to hear the other and throughout the film, and sabotage what Lauren wants to accomplish.

There are funny moments; you’ll laugh and you can thank Bruce Dern, who plays Lauren’s grandpa, and Cloris Leachman, who plays Josephine, for a lot of that. However, for the most part, the comedy feels less instinctive than forced and strained rather than composed. In ‘Lez Bomb,’ we have a comedy but often a comedy of errors. A woman is desperately trying to come out to her parents and is stopped at every turn. She tries over and over to inform them that the friend she has with her means much more to her than they realize and as she quietly takes it, you want to be her voice. It’s frustrating to watch. I wanted to like it more but I thought the characters were weak and some of the situations they were put in too sophomoric to accept.

*Opens Friday, November 9 In Theatres and on VOD

In Phoenix at AMC Arizona Center 24

The Long Dumb Road Movie Review

November 7, 2018 (updated November 16, 2018) Published by Shari K. Green

‘The Long Dumb Road,’ a buddy comedy, has poor Nathan or ‘Nat’ (Revolori) in a pickle from the very beginning. Nat is a young naïve photographer on his way to give it a go in L.A. via art school. He doesn’t know how to say the word no, which gets him into trouble when he meets Richard (Mantzoukas) who wouldn’t take no for an answer in the first place.

Nat’s car breaks down right at the same moment this trashy, grungy, unkempt, mess of a mechanic is losing his job. This is the perfect set up for your typical on the road indie-comedy and though common-place, at least its stars aren’t. Luckily, the pair both need what the other has in that Nat needs his car to get going and Richard needs to be driven somewhere. Where it is Richard needs to go becomes less and less clear as the road grows further behind them. He tells Nat he only needs a ride forty-five miles up the road. That forty-five miles turns into his being Nat’s buddy on this trip across the country. Though often frustrated with being taken advantage of, Nat gets what he needs from Richard, too. Without him, he’d never get the fatherly advice about sex Richard freely gives or get to experiment with drugs for the first time. Of course, he’d probably not get into the trouble Richard seems to draw to him either.

Nat has lived a very sheltered existence and finds it easy to blossom shadowing his new extremely extroverted companion. Nat has, up until now, been capturing life through his camera lens and is happy to be finally getting into the action yet is still very timid. Richard wants to crack the foundation Nat has built for himself by ‘ripping the condom off’ his mind. Revealing very little about who he really is, Richard doesn’t want to be put under the microscope but gives enough away to show that he does have a softer side. He’s critical of himself, worried he’s aging and that he’s ugly. He also admits that there’s a girl from high school that he’s never gotten over. This little sidetrack becomes one of the biggest mistakes in the film. Quite frankly the aforementioned revelations make you look at Richard’s character differently. As it grows from loser to invaluable trailblazer with crucial guidance, his very essence no longer makes sense. This is especially the case if he’s suddenly a simple-minded dolt. Some of the more outrageous parts of the script are based on the Richard we first meet and does not gel with the Richard we see toward the end. The comedy is intact but the loyalty to the part is lost. While Richard becomes more of a buffoon, the role turns the audience off from what they liked about him in the first place. However, the real Richard does show up again at the very end making you almost forgive the error.

The generation gap between the two is the most developed and most impressively explored part of the journey. They’re both student and scholar on the road to wherever life takes them at this point. It’s sometimes entertaining, sometimes implausible like when they decide to, out of nowhere, visit the woman Richard never got over. She, not even remembering him, lets him into her house? Not likely to happen, nor is this necessary. ‘The Long Dumb Road’ has some fabulous cameos, amusing dialogue and some lively characters that move in and out but nothing good stays for very long. There just isn’t enough gas in the tank to get you from point A to point B without you wanting to get up and wander off on occasion. It’s a bit too absurd to be believed at times but the jokes that hit their target and the performances do save it from a don’t see to a watch at home.

Tag: comedy