The Idea of Manhood (2018) User Reviews

A wonderful film about humanity and friendship.

[jcyx · 8/10 · 5 November 2019]

I thought this movie was particularly effective. There are only five actors or so in it and each one contributed an honest portrayal.

I find this movie to be about two friends on different trajectories. One, single and trying to jumpstart his life, and the other, married, who might do well to stop and examine his own. Happiness or lack thereof is at the core of both of their searches.

The two leads, Karl and Jeremy, dominate the action and lucky for us, they are fantastic on screen with one another. Their friendship is deep, layered, and diverse. But we can't forget the wonderful actors in their supporting roles, Elizabeth and Meg, who provide great fun, energy, and entertainment, particularly during a beer pong scene where things get a little messy.

Go see this movie! It's worth your time!

Like a dramatic episode of Seinfeld

[kyledbeaudette · 9/10 · 31 March 2019]

Very well acted, directed, and written movie about two men that are both totally lost in different ways as they reach middle age. They criticize each other for their own brand of depressive wandering, and ultimately find they are more similar than it would first appear (with both of them purposely dropping grenades into their lives in different ways..) Some very funny moments throughout the film and genuinely heart wrenching ones as well. Overall very good and I would recommend it to anyone hurtling towards middle age and questioning what the hell they are doing with their own existence👍

Idea Of Manhood

[hukilau-80579 · 10/10 · 7 April 2019]

A great feature debut from filmmaker Serge Kushnier. Smart, funny and insightful. A great representation of what it's like to find your way in these disconnected times.

Good to watch while you're playing...

[cerivs-29558 · 2/10 · 29 December 2019]

...with your phone. Slow & predictable. Self-involved, unlikeable character(s). I had to stop watching about an hour into it as all the stereotypical dribble became unbearable as the truth about the characters started coming out. This is a current trend of movies. Start them badly, make it get even worse, so when the characters redeem themselves later, turn it around (so to speak) you ignore what a POS you actually wasted your time on and then felt it was great film (Not!) Because you were taken in by the reviews.

I think this only works with people who have a very short attention span or need immediate or instant gratification or are on their respective "smart" phones. Oh, and the excessive alcohol consumption and then the weed... How much more predictable could it get! Ahhhh, that's what I did wrong, I should've been drunk or stoned to watch it. Do yourself a favor & find something else to watch there are better ways to spend an hour and 15 minutes.

Quality dialogue

[stooie-68168 · 9/10 · 9 April 2019]

Well acted. Well written. A great glimpse into middle aged manhood. The dialogue is great! I highly recommend this film.

A Ripoff Lynn Shelton's My Effortless Brilliance

[flcphan · 1/10 · 21 July 2023]

A ripoff of the wonderful Seattle indie-filmmaker Lynn Shelton's "My Effortless Brilliance", which was done much better. Even her film "Humpday" has the same sort of premise, two guys discussing typical guy stuff. Much more deep and engrossing. "The Idea of Manhood" is too shallow and the film is unconvincing.

A ripoff of the wonderful Seattle indie-filmmaker Lynn Shelton's "My Effortless Brilliance", which was done much better. Even her film "Humpday" has the same sort of premise, two guys discussing typical guy stuff. Much more deep and engrossing. "The Idea of Manhood" is too shallow and the film is unconvincing.

Idea of Manhood

[marklake · 9/10 · 3 April 2019]

I watched the Idea of Manhood based on a recommendation of a friend and glad I did. I found the film a beautiful, modest yet important little cultural artifact and an accurate snapshot of our times, especially for those of us who live in NYC. Yet it's so personal and intimate I'm sure it most anyone could relate. Karl Bury's performance, especially in the final act, is so raw and seamless I found it heartbreaking. Great script with lots of little comedic gems along the way that keep you entertained while these characters grapple with their lives at hand with struggles and dilemmas we can all relate to.

found it somewhat trite

[mastershowman · 3/10 · 4 July 2019]

I generally like movies that consist mainly of people talking to one another. Not everyone does. So I wanted to like this movie. But I really didn't. I hate to be a disagreeable grouch and I really appreciate the filmmaker trying to lay it on the line here. Unfortunately, though, I found the characters' thoughts and observations to represent little more than banal straw men. I was not surprised by or, really, interested in anything these two guys had to say.