John B
I though it was ok overall, interesting story told as JK Simmons portrays an older man looking back on his life and some of the hardships he endured to get him to where he is in a suicidal tendency.
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
07/08/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Spoilers within: A niche indy, maybe a vanity piece with key actor and director married in real life. Simmons always rises to the task like the top seasoned pro he is. But it is hard watching a character you don't like very much because he is antisocial, even asocial, and seems to respect nothing, and to exhibit very little self-control, self-discipline, self-sacrifice and responsibility. But therein is the hard question for us: We are given life, sure, but it damn straight ain't free, none of us. So do we get pissed off at a guy like Simmons and the younger versions of him, or do we write it off as not a slice of American life in the '40s and onward, but a lament over the human condition, in which we have to decipher whether the guy is evil/hateful and a moral midget, or just wracked by personality disorder or mental illness that lessen the blow of his responsibility for thoughtlessness, abusiveness and destructiveness? Religious people might retort that in any case, ours is to judge not less we be judged, and he's the poster boy for that. Somehow Simmons walks a fine line so that we don't like him, but we can also feel some sympathy, if not empathy, for his human vulnerability. Finally he is just pathetic, doesn't pay the light bill or take care of his health, in which he appears to be terminal, or his house where he is alone and which is a mess, and he goes nowhere, as if he really is not here now, but he lives in the past, full of sadness and regret for his failures and loss of his parents' marriage, loss of his dad to suicide, loss of his son, loss of his own marriage and job after job. It appears, though storytelling with an ending ain't what it used to be, he averted suicide, if barely, in the full knowledge that it wouldn't change much since he already is not here. Maybe the ending with the old him saving his young son is saying it is enough to want to love your kid, even if your weakness/sickness keep getting in the way of it. Maika Monroe made me think of Amber Heard, you should excuse the expression.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
02/07/23
Full Review
Audience Member
I was very excited initially to watch this movie, but that was soon overcome by disappointment.
I saw Sebastian Stan, and as a big fan of his, knew I needed to watch it. So I endured all one hour and 20 minutes of this film only to be left with questions and boredom.
Sebastian Stan and J.K. Simmons did a great job. They played steve perfectly.
However, Maika Monroe only drug the movie down to the farthest depths. Her character was so bland, I barely considered Karen a character. It was disappointing to see her not even try.
I will give credit to the writers, however. I believe they did a phenomenal job, whether they intended to or not, of orchestrating the dialog to structure characters, while not obviously doing so.
Rated 2/5 Stars •
Rated 2 out of 5 stars
01/28/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Phenomenal experience.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
01/30/23
Full Review
Audience Member
i like this movie, greatest movie.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
01/14/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Disjointed. Boring. Despite a powerful acting performance by J.K. Simmons, I was happy when the movie ended. That was the best part. Seeing the credits roll. Don't waste your time.
Rated 1.5/5 Stars •
Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars
02/22/23
Full Review
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