If I were to write this review imitating Chris Traeger, a character played by Rob Lowe on the show 'Parks and Recreation,' I would undoubtedly start off by saying that this was LITERALLY one of the most disappointing movies I have ever seen (and keep in mind, Chris is normally a beacon of positivity). 'I Melt with You' starts off strong, but after about twenty minutes it hands the baton to the chubby kid and quickly loses pace. Following four middle aged college friends who come together for a weekend of fun, booze, and drugs, 'I Melt with You' had the potential to be a modern 'Return of the Seacacus Seven,' but ended up being closer to the annoying younger brother of 'The Big Chill.' Director Mark Pellington, who is more commonly known for his documentary work, boldly takes a swing and a miss. 'I Melt with You' tackles difficult subject matter including the loss of a family member, depression, and disappointment with one's life, but as they say, "it's all about the execution," After an hour I found myself praying for my own execution. The movie hides behind fancy cinematography and a soundtrack filled with old punk rock favorites, but it might as well be an elephant concealing itself behind a telephone poll. The generational sympathy Pellington is trying to stir up is lost somewhere in the haze a of cocaine induced drunken debauchery.
'I Melt with You' is another prime example that good actors alone cannot create good movies, just as the best crew team in the world cannot win a race in a boat riddled with holes. Thomas Jane, Jeremy Piven, and Rob Lowe all fail to rescue this movie from utter failure. Carla Gugino steps in as a charmingly convincing police officer who would have been a nice addition from the start, but after an hour and twenty minutes of watching the movie fall apart, it is more difficult care than to write it off as total loss. If an insurance company existed to compensate viewers who saw a bad movie I think 'I Melt with You' would quickly put them out of business.
'I Melt with You' is another prime example that good actors alone cannot create good movies, just as the best crew team in the world cannot win a race in a boat riddled with holes. Thomas Jane, Jeremy Piven, and Rob Lowe all fail to rescue this movie from utter failure. Carla Gugino steps in as a charmingly convincing police officer who would have been a nice addition from the start, but after an hour and twenty minutes of watching the movie fall apart, it is more difficult care than to write it off as total loss. If an insurance company existed to compensate viewers who saw a bad movie I think 'I Melt with You' would quickly put them out of business.