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Surprised and Grateful

Dirk Diggler | california | 06/17/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"At first, I wasn't sure where it was going... Up, down or just sideways. But soon, I realized the filmmakers were creating a world that resembled reality far more than almost any movie I've seen in that there are collisions between events, intentions, characters, loves, hates ...and the whole stew can be hysterically funny, odd, disturbing, heartbreaking and then funny all over again. In this way, I have to give the film enormous credit and gratitude that it does not try to be like every other movie. It does not talk down to its audience.

It takes place in 1986 in the days before the Challenger Shuttle blew up, but the themes of heroism and unexpected tragedy play out in subtle and clever ways. I think the critics who didn't like this movie are used to following very well paved roads with well defined markers. This movie follows its characters first to last and that can make it bumpy and twisty and ultimately, so much better. And because the characters are so three dimensional, the markers which we expect only come if the characters lead us there. They do in the end. The director lands us where we need to be. But along the way, we are on ground which is just as unsettled as the characters who turn to ridiculous methods to lessen the pain of losing someone they loved in their lives. If you're willing to walk this unsettled ground, it's well worth the ride. The performances are outstanding, especially Steve Coogan and Olivia Thirlby. If, on the other hand, you need to be spoon-fed or for your plots to be singular and instantly identifiable, you will probably hate it. You kind of have to give in to it and then the doors open and the characters and the overall tone of the film resonates. It WILL make you laugh and cry.

I saw this at a promotional screening. It was mostly filled with Hilary Duff fans. I am not one, but am much more so now. She does wonderfully well as the Lolita wannabe seductress. Again, the character is so finely drawn that some might think since she's not a successful seducer, the character and the movie leave you hanging. It's really the opposite. It's her lack of success which makes her character so compelling. In many ways you can say the same about the movie as a whole. It plays its own game according to the rules which govern human behavior, not conventional plot points. This results in an awkwardness which is much more real and much more satisfying than just about anything I've seen in some time. I highly recommend."

What goes up

terry e.chandler,jr. | woodstock,ga. u.s.a. | 07/13/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"don't get up from your seat or you'll be confused!after it's over then the whole movie makes sense!way to go Hilary duff great acting!"

Coogan Good, Pretentious Indie Filmmakers Bad

Nina | 06/22/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I think that its really funny that some reviewers for this film are so offended by the people who didn't "get it" and accuse them of wanting to be "spoon fed". How these reviewers can overlook the glaring problems with this movie I'll never know. They perceive the schizophrenic plot as a challenge to the normal Hollywood formulas. But if you're an indie fan you know that a film can be challenging and still comprehensible.

I enjoyed the film because of all the things that are wrong with it. Its scatterbrained plot, confusing narrative and wandering focus make me strive to glean the movie wheat from the movie chaff.

Despite the director's best efforts to overwhelm the movie with meaning about the mythology of heroes, I thought the actors' performances were stand-out. Steve Coogan takes on another unlikeable character and strives to make him tolerable, which is commendable, but he is never given clear dominion over the film. In an apparent effort to pander to the teen audience, his character (the lead), is upstaged time and again by the misfits from the shed. The teens are art class cliches that we have seen a dozen times but the actors make the most of their lot and if you haven't seen Freaks and Geeks, My So Called Life or any Lifetime movie where a girl is "too young" for something then you won't care.

The film is shot beautifully so it's even sadder when it narratively starts a death spiral. And as it crashes and burns we finally see the parallel between the Challenger tragedy and this movie. The Challenger was destroyed and this movie self-destructs. I guess the heroes are us, for watching it."

What is Up?

Marina | 10/15/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a great movie the plot is very different yet confusing but all the actors are great.It the mess up life of teens but in a realist hippie style.This movie no way a comedy and not a very happy movie.But its just a good watch if you like to think outside the box!"