This is a great quirky feel-good movie to rent! Sam Mendes (who directed American Beauty) did a wonderful job with this comedy. I didn't make it to the theater to see this one but while I was combating a cold and lying on my couch, it definitely perked up my spirits when I watched it a couple of days ago.
The movie stars Maya Rudolph and John Krasinski. Their characters Verona and Burt are living in Colorado and expecting a baby. When they find out that Burt's parents are moving away from Colorado before the baby is born, the two decide that it's time for them to move and figure out where they would like to make a home for themselves and their unborn child. They decide to visit other family and friends to see what kind of homes and families they have built for themselves. And as they reconnect with some people from their past, their travels take them to Arizona, Wisconsin. Montreal and Miami. With each visit Verona and Burt witness the parenting/relationship skills each of their friends possess and/or lack. And with each revelation of seeing what their friends are doing wrong, they hope to discover what will truly be right for them.
The supporting cast in this movie is awesome. Catherine O'Hara and Jeff Daniels who play Burt's parents set the tone as the first eccentric pair we meet before Burt and Verona set out for their travels. And the eccentricity doesn't stop with them. Allison Janney plays Verona's ex-boss who can't get enough to drink and can't stop talking about all the things that are wrong with her kids. Maggie Gyllenhaal steals every scene she's in as a pretentious hippie who abhors the use of strollers ("I loooove my babies! Why would I want to push them away from me?") and Melanie Lynskey's character does an impromptu dance to express her sadness that is slow, quiet and poignant.
But it's the strength of the relationship of the main characters that makes this movie work so well. Burt and Verona are a couple of odd-balls in their own right. Burt uses a fake persona when dealing with people at work and Verona paints images of people's brains. But as you watch them together and intermingling with others, there is no doubt that it's the two of them against the world and you can't help but root for them as they try to find their place in it. Dave Eggers and Vendela Vida who wrote the screenplay, incorporated hilarious and intimate scenes for Krasinski and Rudolph in the film that really allowed the audience to appreciate their character's connection and love for one another. Nothing about this movie was sappy. Instead it was lighthearted and genuine.
Like I said, I watched this movie a couple of days ago but I can't stop thinking about it. The characters have stayed with me and I find myself giggling to myself as I replay certain scenes over in my mind. Now I know I have a head cold but I really do believe it's the movie and not the cold medication that's keeping me happy. And I can definitely state you don't have to be sick to enjoy it (maybe just a little mental).
If you liked Garden State, you'll like this movie. If you like to laugh, and possess a kind of off-the-wall sense of humour you'll like this movie. If you like original scripts with quirky characters you'll like this movie. And if you need a great soundtrack playing in the background to really enjoy a film. Well let me assure you, you too will like this movie.
No comments:
Post a Comment