Filed under: Published film reviews | Tags: About Schmidt, Alexander Payne, Bob Odenkirk, Bruce Dern, Election, June Squibb, Nebraska, road movie, rural America, Sideways, Stacey Keach, Will Forte
Aging, booze-addled, and confused Montana resident Woody Grant (Bruce Dern) repeatedly tries to make his way on foot to Lincoln, Nebraska in order to claim a $1 million Mega Sweepstakes marketing prize. To keep him from harm, Woody’s son David (Will Forte) drives the old man there, stopping for a visit in his father’s hometown of Hawthorne, Nebraska to break up the journey.
Woody’s old stomping ground is a boundless rural plain, punctuated by barns, pick up trucks, rusting farm equipment, and churches. Shortly after arriving, Woody and David are joined by Woody’s wife Kate (June Squibb) and their other son Ross (Bob Odenkirk) for a reunion with Woody’s family. Before long, ancient grudges rise to the surface, prompted by the prospect of money. Over the course of the film, David begins to learn more about his mom and dad, and, therefore, himself. And we, the audience, are prompted to contemplate the nature of family, our origins, our dynamics, our choices, and our movements.
Director Alexander Payne has already demonstrated that he is a talented filmmaker, as evidenced by his films Election, Sideways, and About Schmidt. Like these other films, this film is heavily nuanced, subtly comedic, and incredibly observant. The performances are affecting, the cinematography is beautiful (shot in black & white), and the screenplay is seemingly effortless.
Filed under: Published film reviews | Tags: Planes, road movie, Robert Downey Jr, Trains and Automobiles, Zach Galifianakis
Peter (Robert Downey Jr.) is trying to get home to his expectant wife. However, his efforts to get back are pitched into chaos when he crosses paths with wannabe actor Ethan (Zach Galifianakis).
The circumstances and events in this road movie are bizarre encounters, complete tribulations, and vehicular mayhem. DUE DATE aspires to be an edgier, darker, more of an odd-couple-on-a-road-trip film than the very similar PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES, however one can’t help but to remember how great this earlier film and its actors (John Candy, Steve Martin) really were in the face of this comparison. DUE DATE achieves it’s ‘darker’ side and edgier side in this reviewers opinion, only because it is crueller and meaner, not because its funnier or politically incorrect.
For every funny moment, and there are a few, there are some downright unsettling ones, too, such as when Peter punches a small child, spits in Sonny’s face, or mocks a disabled veteran. Most of the humour is rude and silly, such as when Ethan and his bulldog Sonny simultaneously masturbate.
One can’t help but think that Downey Jr. was after a bit of ‘dosh’ in order to make this film or he wouldn’t have touched it with a ten-foot barge pole. That said, this is a film that won’t make you lament the two hours and price of a cinema ticket you’ve spent if you watch it on DVD, or, best yet, on TV at some point…
Victoria Jelinek 