I was slightly disappointed when watching the opening of this film, but it wasn't of any fault of the film itself. I love Albert Brooks, and I consider him a king of the one-liners. He is hysterically funny comedian, and I expected to watch a hysterically funny film. Well, Albert plays it straight this time around, though he occasionally blurts out a dry one-liner. The movie opens on a dark note, introducing us into the gothic world of our main character Jennifer (Leelee Sobieski). Now, I was very tuned in at first, because I'm familiar with quite a few gothic chicks, and Leelee's character was not at all far from the real thing. Then she meets a grumpy store manager (Albert Brooks) and little by little, they generate a real friendship. Though he is more wealthy and successful than Jennifer, he also doesn't know what path to take in life. They both have spent so much time hiding behind their masks that they are just beginning to find out who they really are and what they really want. Both Brooks and Sobieski give very credible performances, and the idea of two polar opposites generating a true bond is intense and thought-provoking. As I often say, there are not enough movies that delve into the true meaning of friendship. And I'm always proud to see a movie that does. And another thing I appreciated--the two characters don't end up sleeping together! That is a cheap shot that the average filmmaker would resort to, just to get an "Oooooh" out of the audience.
************SPOILERS AHEAD********************
Now what I didn't like about this movie?.....it later sinks down to corny TV movie conventions. We find out that Brooks is days (not months or years, but days!) away from dying. Sure, it's sad. Sure, my eyes got watery when Leelee saw his body laying collapsed on the street. But in the back of my mind, I knew what was going on in the heads of the screenwriters: Why don't we have his character reveal a deadly illness and eventually die? I guess they felt there wasn't enough drama, so they piled on more drama and more drama until it transforms into melodrama. Then we have the purely predictable scene in which Leelee visits the house of Brooks's long lost son. Like in all these movies, the son completely snubs any thought of uniting with his father. Why does he eventually meet his father? Because the screenwriters made it so that Leelee had problems starting her car when about the leave the son's house. So he decides, "Sure, I'll give ya a ride, but I'm not gonna talk to my father." Well, he gives her a ride and he approaches his Dad with no hesitation. By the end of the film, everyone in Leelee's family--parents, stepparents and all--sit together at the dinner table, laughing it up. And my final complaint is Leelee's character transformation. Now, I'm a stickler when it comes to character transformations, because I don't believe people change that easily--I'm not being cynical, it's a fact. I can believe that meeting this older man is able to influence a change in Jennifer's life, but not to the point where she gets rid of ALL her piercings, develops a love for everyone (whereas in the beginning she hated everyone, including herself), communicates openly with her parents and becomes an altogether magnificent person.
This really could've been a great film if it weren't for some stilted dialogue and a third act that belongs on the small screen in a Lifetime Movie of the Week. But it's still a good film with good intentions and good performances. If you want to see Albert Brooks show his serious side and flaunt his considerable dramatic chops, then it's worth a look. But don't make the same mistake I did and assume you're about to watch "Lost in America" or "The Muse." There's a few moments of comic relief, but it's a straight drama. And I was also impressed by Leelee Sobieski, who totally disappears into her character and gives one of her best performances.
My score: 7 (out of 10)
************SPOILERS AHEAD********************
Now what I didn't like about this movie?.....it later sinks down to corny TV movie conventions. We find out that Brooks is days (not months or years, but days!) away from dying. Sure, it's sad. Sure, my eyes got watery when Leelee saw his body laying collapsed on the street. But in the back of my mind, I knew what was going on in the heads of the screenwriters: Why don't we have his character reveal a deadly illness and eventually die? I guess they felt there wasn't enough drama, so they piled on more drama and more drama until it transforms into melodrama. Then we have the purely predictable scene in which Leelee visits the house of Brooks's long lost son. Like in all these movies, the son completely snubs any thought of uniting with his father. Why does he eventually meet his father? Because the screenwriters made it so that Leelee had problems starting her car when about the leave the son's house. So he decides, "Sure, I'll give ya a ride, but I'm not gonna talk to my father." Well, he gives her a ride and he approaches his Dad with no hesitation. By the end of the film, everyone in Leelee's family--parents, stepparents and all--sit together at the dinner table, laughing it up. And my final complaint is Leelee's character transformation. Now, I'm a stickler when it comes to character transformations, because I don't believe people change that easily--I'm not being cynical, it's a fact. I can believe that meeting this older man is able to influence a change in Jennifer's life, but not to the point where she gets rid of ALL her piercings, develops a love for everyone (whereas in the beginning she hated everyone, including herself), communicates openly with her parents and becomes an altogether magnificent person.
This really could've been a great film if it weren't for some stilted dialogue and a third act that belongs on the small screen in a Lifetime Movie of the Week. But it's still a good film with good intentions and good performances. If you want to see Albert Brooks show his serious side and flaunt his considerable dramatic chops, then it's worth a look. But don't make the same mistake I did and assume you're about to watch "Lost in America" or "The Muse." There's a few moments of comic relief, but it's a straight drama. And I was also impressed by Leelee Sobieski, who totally disappears into her character and gives one of her best performances.
My score: 7 (out of 10)