I avoided this movie for too long, because Michael Douglas is not one of my favorites. I'm sorry I waited so long! The movie as a whole doesn't add up to too much -- and in fact, I think the ending is terribly trite. But I had so much fun by the time the movie ended, I didn't care.
Although the subject matter tends toward the cliché (substance abusing bohemian celebrity writer causes trouble on college campus), Douglas does an outstanding job in making his character live and breathe.
He also has great chemistry with the other actors. One of the funniest lines in any movie ever happens when Downey, the writer's agent, explains why he doesn't fit in with his firm's new "corporate culture." These are two great actors, made greater in how they play off each other. Tobey Maguire does very well in a chameleon role -- in all its different guises.
Michael Cavadias has a small role as Miss Antonia, but his performance sets the movie off on the right track. Richard Knox, the actor who plays "Vernon Hardapple," also takes a minor character and makes him one of the most memorable in the movie.
Bob Dylan's songs "Things Have Changed" and "Not Dark Yet" are masterpieces -- but, as good as they are, seamlessly become part of the fabric of the movie.
All these pieces are so satisfying, it doesn't much matter that the movie as a whole falls somewhat short of great.
Although the subject matter tends toward the cliché (substance abusing bohemian celebrity writer causes trouble on college campus), Douglas does an outstanding job in making his character live and breathe.
He also has great chemistry with the other actors. One of the funniest lines in any movie ever happens when Downey, the writer's agent, explains why he doesn't fit in with his firm's new "corporate culture." These are two great actors, made greater in how they play off each other. Tobey Maguire does very well in a chameleon role -- in all its different guises.
Michael Cavadias has a small role as Miss Antonia, but his performance sets the movie off on the right track. Richard Knox, the actor who plays "Vernon Hardapple," also takes a minor character and makes him one of the most memorable in the movie.
Bob Dylan's songs "Things Have Changed" and "Not Dark Yet" are masterpieces -- but, as good as they are, seamlessly become part of the fabric of the movie.
All these pieces are so satisfying, it doesn't much matter that the movie as a whole falls somewhat short of great.