-
Now on DVD and Blu-ray-Promised Land -
Disney, Hitchcock, and Marilyn Flying Hi ... -
Reacher Coming to DVD and Blu-ray -
Coming to Blu-ray and DVD-Django Unchain ... -
John Ford's Favorite Film
Coming to Blu-ray and DVD-The Impossible
Now on DVD and Blu-ray-Hyde Park on Huds ...
MAKING FILM SCHOLARSHIP FUN
Now on DVD/Blu-ray—This Is 40
Playing Nationwide: On the Road
HOORAY FOR 1933—EIGHTY YEARS LATERPeople Like Us—movie review
Chris Pine plays a guy who lives on the edge in his business dealings, and has a loyal girlfriend in Olivia Wilde. Then he learns that his father has died, and grudgingly boards a plane for Los Angeles to attend the funeral. He hasn’t seen his father in years, and maintains an arm’s-length distance from his mother (Michelle Pfeiffer). Then one of his dad’s oldest friends hands him a wad of money, left for him by his father with a terse note instructing him to pass it along to a woman and her son. It turns out his father had a second family. She’s a hard-working single mom, played by Elizabeth Banks, and she’s Pine’s half-sister.
That’s the setup for this drama, which the preview trailer would have you believe is a comedy. (If studios are so certain audiences won’t go to see a dramatic film—even a good one—why do they make them in the first place?)
Pine’s dilemma is that he doesn’t know how to explain who he is to Banks. In the course of this struggle, he builds a relationship with her and her rebellious young son. In time, he also begins to deal with his mother and tries to break down some walls between them. But as the movie becomes protracted, stretching almost to the two-hour mark, it loses not only its momentum but its credibility.
There’s one more problem that’s a bit awkward to confront. We all enjoy watching attractive performers on screen, but beautiful people are not necessarily the best choice when you’re trying to tell a story about “people like us” and their day-to-day problems. I don’t mean to deride the talents of Pine, Banks, Pfeiffer, or Wilde (who makes a conscious effort to look unglamorous), but you have to admit they make an exceptionally good-looking ensemble…too good-looking, perhaps, to give resonance to this material.
Email Updates
Latest Tweets
-
RT @leonardmaltin: 'Before Midnight' is never uninteresting…but it doesn’t flow as easily or seem as organic as the first two films http://t.co/6ZzpthAQRh
Posted 5 minutes ago -
RT @ParamountAustin: .@LeonardMaltin tonight w/ LADY FOR A DAY 35mm screening from Frank Capra's vault! Show Preview via @gobarraza : http://t.co/7ugtLtkx2B
Posted 26 minutes ago -
Ugh. Was afraid of that. MT @leonardmaltin: The Hangover 3 is a dreary, lamebrain comedy that ruins whatever fond memories we had of the 1st
Posted 28 minutes ago -
It's rare that @leonardmaltin can't find something nice to say about a movie. Hangover 3 is one of those times. http://t.co/3vVxY7QiUa
Posted 57 minutes ago
Monthly Archives
Most "Liked"
-
Greta's New Wave: Frances Halike0 -
In Search Of ‘The Searchers’like0 -
Before Midnightlike0 -
Fast & Furious 6like0 -
The Hangover Part IIIlike0
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|  |
 |  |
4 Comments
Robert | July 6, 2012 12:34 PM
This was an excellent movie. Did you want them to change some of the cast because they were too "good-looking." Come on now, they all did an excellent acting job. And the standout actor in this, besides Banks, was the little kid! He really seemed like a tough little kid just waiting for a father figure to love/be loved. Had me shedding a tear! And I am allergic to sappiness but this movie delivered on so many levels! Go see it now!
Great Movie! | July 5, 2012 6:55 AM
Never believe the critics...they only feed their own egos trashing other people's work. I was pleasantly surprise with the movie. It is a movie to treasure very close to your heart. We need more of these movies that show the kindness, the forgiveness and the humanity society lacks. By the way, I have a friend who's story is extremely close to the plot of this movie. Great work..It is a movie to remember and I would love to see it again.
Michelle | July 3, 2012 6:11 PM
" but you have to admit they make an exceptionally good-looking ensembleâ¦too good-looking, perhaps, to give resonance to this material.". NO, I don't have to admit this! Being good looking doesn't mean the story doesn't resonate. They all did a fantastic job. The movie really tugged at my heart. Also, this film doesn't run too long. I love a a movie that delves into what is happening. Not a good review.
Everyone out there, go see this movie!
Elephante | July 3, 2012 1:11 AM
Hmmm- I have to disagree with this review- too begin with your end- attractive people exist in abundance in our everyday kind of world and aren't exempt from life's unkindness & challenges. Nothing about their physical attributes detracted my attention and ability to key into this drama.
The story line surrounding these characters produced a multitude of dramatic life moments that were believeable enough as one relates them to family. If taken abit too far - well - that's ok with me as I don't go to see a movie that replicates my own life. There were many touching moments that anyone from a dysfunctional family can relate to and the beauty of having it all tied up in 2 hours is that it brought you thru the entire process as to soulfully glimpse into another way of making choices in the interest of love & family versus ego . The lesson of things aren't always what they seem to be especially when you are so sure they are was a great reminder about life.
I really liked this movie & highly recommend .