This is a very funny, very odd, intoxicating little film. It sucks you in and then it spits you out not sure if you should be feeling so good about such morally questionable people and their very strange relationship. It reminded me a bit of Secretary in the way that it's an unusual love story but this goes a bit further because I'm not sure it's really a love story in the end or just two people who end up in a relationship built on lies and manipulation. No idea why it's so charming given this predicament, but a lot comes down to excellent performances and the way the film is shot - very nice sequences and moody.
Reviews
2 Reviews
Introducing the Dwights
(2007)
Almost, but not quite
11 July 2007
This is a very annoying film. It could have been excellent but instead it is just adequate. There's a lot to like about it, the major plus being Brenda Blethyn's performance. Always a joy to watch as the woman on the edge of a nervous breakdown, she steals the show once again with her quivering bottom lip and comic timing, but we have seen a very similar performance from her in Secrets & Lies, albeit with less variation. Be careful Brenda! You're at risk of getting typecast. The biggest problems with the film relate to the script (underdeveloped, meandering, loose ends) and the two young leads whose performances are uneven, and that's being especially kind to Khan Chittenden who is no leading man. The other problem is this is formulaic in the Sundance way - family drama, quirky characters, conflict, joy, sadness and humor - not traits that are in themselves bad at all, but in this cinematic combination they come together and make it seem contrived, overly constructed and quite predictable. Is it still a decent film? Yes, if you can get past the first half hour which is very unpromising, but it's a wasted opportunity too.
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