Documenting the life of the rich and shameless is already dubious artistic terrain in my book. The sell points are obvious - class and lifestyle reinforcement for the people who actually live this way, fascinated adulation from those less fortunate. But unless it is handled with care and insight, it can really just seem like pretentious tripe. Unfortunately, this movie falls into that category.
I enjoyed the first half of Nobody Walks, which explored the different personalities in an upper middle-class artistic household as Olivia Thirlby's character settled in. I was already familiar with Thirlby from Juno and recently Dredd, which she was great in. She is the real standout in this movie. There is an understated quality about her that is very appealing, and she's just interesting to watch on screen.
Where the movie falls into trouble is in the second half. For the record, I have no problem with movies with all white casts (go Woody Allen!), even if it does seem a bit anachronistic in today's increasingly diverse America. But I do turn a suspicious eye on movies like this when the one ethnic character in the film - in this case an Italian tutor played by Emanuele Secci - winds up being so sinisterly drawn, and particularly playing into cheap stereotypes. Kolt's poem about him was nasty and xenophobic. In light of the already borderline pointless story and vapid characters, this was the turning point for me. The point where you go, "Damn, can't get those two hours back, can I?" Alas, you cannot, so I would recommend a pass.
P.S. I forgot to add that as someone who generally is uncomfortable with and dislikes excessive sex scenes in movies, the romantic scenes in this movie are beautifully done and believable. Of particular note is the first kiss between John Krasinski and Thirlby.
I enjoyed the first half of Nobody Walks, which explored the different personalities in an upper middle-class artistic household as Olivia Thirlby's character settled in. I was already familiar with Thirlby from Juno and recently Dredd, which she was great in. She is the real standout in this movie. There is an understated quality about her that is very appealing, and she's just interesting to watch on screen.
Where the movie falls into trouble is in the second half. For the record, I have no problem with movies with all white casts (go Woody Allen!), even if it does seem a bit anachronistic in today's increasingly diverse America. But I do turn a suspicious eye on movies like this when the one ethnic character in the film - in this case an Italian tutor played by Emanuele Secci - winds up being so sinisterly drawn, and particularly playing into cheap stereotypes. Kolt's poem about him was nasty and xenophobic. In light of the already borderline pointless story and vapid characters, this was the turning point for me. The point where you go, "Damn, can't get those two hours back, can I?" Alas, you cannot, so I would recommend a pass.
P.S. I forgot to add that as someone who generally is uncomfortable with and dislikes excessive sex scenes in movies, the romantic scenes in this movie are beautifully done and believable. Of particular note is the first kiss between John Krasinski and Thirlby.