vegasbaby

Picture quality quite impressive considering its low budget. Clean transfer.

Soundtrack is dialogue driven, but includes a few cool surround effects (rain, etc).

Extras include Director commentary. Good solid commentary. Discusses how much work it takes make a movie, especially with such a low budget.

Its repeat viewing is somewhat limited. Its a sad film, but a quality one.

Performances of the leads are great.

They should give Laura Linney all of Helen Hunts roles. She blows Hunt out of the water acting wise, and she's quite attractive to boot (especially in this movie).

Mark Ruffalo was also really terrific as her brother.

Matthew Brodericks character in this movie wasnt likable, and his acting was just ok.

garmonbozia

I just finally saw this movie recently and it is by far one of the best films of 2000. Amazingly great screenplay. I thought everyone was great in the film, even Matthew Broderick. Ok, so his character wasn't very likeable, so what? Not everyone in a film needs to be likeable, and people can give great performances in unlikeable roles.

Off topic, but one of my HUGE pet peeves about people's opinions about film are comments like "I didn't like the movie because there weren't any likeable characters in the movie".
Why do people feel that way? Are most people unable to appreciate a film where the main character just isn't likeable? This mentality is one of the reasons why Hollywood films have become so cookie-cutter recently. Studios are too concerned that films have likeable characters. Does this concern accurately depcit how most people view movies? I fear it might.

vegasbaby

While I referred to Broderick as an unlikeable character, I also thought his performance was just ok, and below the quality of the 2 leads.

And, how many more Culkin's kids are there & can act ?? This kid was terrific.

garmonbozia

yeah, i know what you were saying, it just lead me to an off topic tangent. i can totally see the opinion of it not being a great performance, but i think that it was totally what was needed for the role.

Quote:

And, how many more Culkin's kids are there & can act ?? This kid was terrific.

i thought the same thing. i guess they breed 'em that way.

I really enjoyed the commentary too, and this seriously is one of those rare few films I think I can recommend to ANYONE, of all ages (well, not kids) and all tastes. Everyone should see this film.

37 In A Row

You know I thought Matthew Broderick was great in "You Can Count On Me". (I forgot that it was him.) I like that he did this and "Election". It almost made me forget his invovlement in "Godawfulzilla". His character reminds me of my anal boss. Let's just say there was a Post-It on my computer screen this morning. I'm hoping to pick this one up soon. It's a movie that hits home especially if you have irresponsible family members. I've heard good things about the commentary.

Bill

Well it just goes to show different people different tastes.I like this type of movie but i thought as well as the other people that watched it with us that it was one of the most boring movies we have ever watched.It was like the script was written by a child.There is better movies on the Lifetime channel in the afternoons.My advice rent this movie like we did,i was thinking about buying it but rented it instead am i ever glad i did'nt buy it.
Bill