The film distinguishes itself by what it lacks: simple, unrealistic answers to Perry’s regrets and the hole in his soul. His path to authenticity might not lead back to glory days, but contentment is closer than he thinks.
70
The Hollywood ReporterFrank Scheck
The Hollywood ReporterFrank Scheck
Ordinary World becomes raggedly enjoyable thanks to the unexpected charms of its leading man.
Although Ordinary World hits a number of familiar story beats, a real heart appears to be beating behind the material, allowing Armstrong and his castmates to maximize the emotional impact it has.
60
Village VoiceMichael Nordine
Village VoiceMichael Nordine
Armstrong, who's mostly played himself in previous forays into acting, has a low-key charm suggesting that, if he desired it, he could get more onscreen gigs in between albums.
Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day is usually pretty appealing when he dabbles in acting, and he’s appealing again in Ordinary World. But after a promising start the script lets him down, and the film turns into a predictable midlife-crisis yarn.
Writer-director Lee Kirk’s script manages a few laugh-out-loud lines and moments, and Armstrong has an offhanded charm that plays well in a role tailor-made for him. But Ordinary World is a little too enamored of the phrase “Truth in advertising.” It’s run of the mill, humdrum, “ordinary” in its set up.