smart kitty

Argh, I know! I liked Braff in Garden State, but man, this movie really did make you want to hit somebody...

I liked Little Miss Sunshine too--mostly just the little girl, but there were some good moments.

J

Having watched this fine example of Hollywood afterbirth with Marcia, I feel I should expound upon certain points ad naseum to further relay to you the complete and total lack of impression this film left on me.

All things considered, I really think Zach Braff is a talented actor. His work on Scrubs is great. Garden State was an excellent film (although it was about coming to terms with yourself and taking control of your life, which seems to be a character role Braff enjoys playing). And there were scenes in this movie that really came off as though the characters were seriously conflicted. Perhaps that's why I was so disappointed with it.

The conflict the main characters go through, as Marcia alluded to, centers around Braff's character sleeping with a college student while his pregnant girlfriend thinks he's out with friends. But there's no reason for the conflict. In fact, there's no motivation for Braff's character to even be adulterous.

The film essentially opens with a monologue by Braff's character stating how much he loves his girlfriend and how great she is and how "...if you were going to settle down, she's the kind of girl you want to settle down with." Poorly worded at best given that this is supposed to convey to us, the viewers, that he is having doubts. Shortly after this intro Braff meets the femme fatale and relays to her that his life no longer has any surprises.

And that's it. That's why he cheats on his girlfriend and mother of his child. Now, don't get me wrong. I can understand lack of surprises being a reason to freak out. But, it doesn't match up. He hasn't married the girlfriend because it seems "final" yet his willing to have a child with her? He knows how great she is and spent a decent amount of time telling us this. So, why the cheating?

There's seemingly no motivation for him to be unfaithful other than a few weak monolgues and conversations. Beyond that we're expected to take it on faith that he's feeling trapped. Because of this, it's hard to relate to the character and if one cannot relate to the main character of story, then there really is no reason to tell it.

Beyond this main "conflict," the secondary characters all seem as though they were considered as an afterthought. One guy, recently dumped by his girlfriend, sees her at a wedding, freaks out, buys a motorhome, and convinces another friend (one afraid of commitment) to drive to South America with him. Neither of these characters show up often and the only reason to have them in the film is, I assume, to physically display the emotional escape Braff's character seeks.

Another character is married with a son. After dealing with his crying son for 3-5 minutes he decides his marriage is too difficult and he doesn't want to take care of his son so he joins the aforementioned morons on the trip to South America only to give up on them 15 miles into the trip. By both accounts, he is a quitter. Again, I feel he is only there as an physical example of what Braff's character is doing at the point in the film.

The thing, in it's entirety, is pretty awful. Character motivations are poorly conceived. Every character is given a subplot, most of which are weak. Worst of all, the main plot is based on the premise that Braff is feeling trapped and seeks an escape yet we're offered no insight as to why he feels trapped beyond the few words he offers and the escape, a 20-year-old college student, offers him nothing except sex with someone new. Yet, there are scenes in the film that shine. I feel the younger actresses (Braff's pregnant girlfriend and Affleck's wife) did an incredible job with their roles. Both were extremely well done.

In the end, it's a wholly unbelieveable story due almost entirely to poor writing which created characters that were difficult, if not impossible, to relate to and in a film that attempts to tap into the minutia of everyday life and exploit it, getting the audience to relate to the characters is the most important thing. I expected more some the screenwriter of Million Dollar Baby who adapted an Italian film.

A new Fletch movie? Is nothing sacred? Chevy Chase was meant for the role. I cringe.

My only comment to this movie is a) completely unrelated, and b) as follows: why is it that when a woman leaves a man, it's because he "doesn't meet her needs anymore", or "she has outgrown him" or my personal fave "she is in search of her New Woman". But when a man leaves, he's a cheating pig? Awesome! :)

I think Marcia should submit more reviews for publication.

I mean it.

TWM

Man. When you write stuff like this, it makes me want to put you on stage and do your thing for the masses. I am laughing. Like so much. Totally.

Ha Ha Whiny Whinerton.

ah, I suspected that this movie would be bad! I'm glad I did not shell out my hard earned cash to see it. Instead, I am watching Season 1 of Scrubs for free. I also enjoyed Little Miss Sunshine.

You are making me laugh at my new job! I need to stop smiling at my desk. Then they will not think I am studying up on long term care insurance! Which is sooo hillarious anyway. I love you Marcia. Mwahhhh!

wow! you used the word pusillanimous in your blog; correctly! this blog ain't no joke. able danger is impressed.