Greetings again from the darkness. John Krasinski's second film as a director mines the all too familiar territory of dysfunctional family life
only the script from Jim Strouse takes it a step further by burdening each character with their own special form of advanced personal dysfunction. The saving grace here is the always dependable Margo Martindale who anchors the gaggle of struggling men in her life.
Richard Jenkins plays Margo's husband – a husband quick to cry and slow to recognize most any situation. Sharlto Copley plays their oldest son who is living in their basement and going through life rudderless ever since his divorce. Lastly there is John Krasinski who relocated from their Midwest hometown to NYC pursuing his dream of making it as a graphic novelist.
One morning Margo collapses and is diagnosed with an advanced brain tumor. Krasinski rushes to her bedside to discover that Dad has recently fired the oldest son from the family business that is rapidly approaching bankruptcy. Additionally, big brother is super jealous of his ex-wife's (Ashley Dyke) new relationship (Josh Groban) and takes to stalking and bad-mouthing. Of course, Krasinski is toting his own baggage. He is whiny and depressed about his job, and has cold feet towards marrying his 8 months pregnant girlfriend (Anna Kendrick).
The film is loaded with familiar faces and talented actors. Charlie Day shows up as Margo's nurse and Krasinski's insecure former high school nemesis who is now married to Mary Elizabeth Winstead oh yes, she still has the hots for her high school sweetheart (Krasinski). Randall Park is Margot's doctor, and Mary Kay Place has a (very) brief role as Jenkins' sister and employee.
Unfortunately the familiarity extends beyond the faces and into the clichéd characters and story lines. Most of the conversations are predictable, though there are plenty of laughs throughout. It may be the only film to feature punchlines utilizing Jenny Craig, Rod Steiger and Indigo Girls. It's also interesting to see how all three of the lead male characters are wandering aimlessly when the women aren't guiding them. This is a theme that could have been better explored and helped set the film apart from so many similar type films.
Despite the negatives, any movie that offers up a few laughs to go along with Margo Martindale at its core, does have some value.
Richard Jenkins plays Margo's husband – a husband quick to cry and slow to recognize most any situation. Sharlto Copley plays their oldest son who is living in their basement and going through life rudderless ever since his divorce. Lastly there is John Krasinski who relocated from their Midwest hometown to NYC pursuing his dream of making it as a graphic novelist.
One morning Margo collapses and is diagnosed with an advanced brain tumor. Krasinski rushes to her bedside to discover that Dad has recently fired the oldest son from the family business that is rapidly approaching bankruptcy. Additionally, big brother is super jealous of his ex-wife's (Ashley Dyke) new relationship (Josh Groban) and takes to stalking and bad-mouthing. Of course, Krasinski is toting his own baggage. He is whiny and depressed about his job, and has cold feet towards marrying his 8 months pregnant girlfriend (Anna Kendrick).
The film is loaded with familiar faces and talented actors. Charlie Day shows up as Margo's nurse and Krasinski's insecure former high school nemesis who is now married to Mary Elizabeth Winstead oh yes, she still has the hots for her high school sweetheart (Krasinski). Randall Park is Margot's doctor, and Mary Kay Place has a (very) brief role as Jenkins' sister and employee.
Unfortunately the familiarity extends beyond the faces and into the clichéd characters and story lines. Most of the conversations are predictable, though there are plenty of laughs throughout. It may be the only film to feature punchlines utilizing Jenny Craig, Rod Steiger and Indigo Girls. It's also interesting to see how all three of the lead male characters are wandering aimlessly when the women aren't guiding them. This is a theme that could have been better explored and helped set the film apart from so many similar type films.
Despite the negatives, any movie that offers up a few laughs to go along with Margo Martindale at its core, does have some value.