We are in Woody Allen territory here, folks. It is not at all easy to make a film about somebody's inner confusions and neuroses, and that is why it is rarely attempted, and when it is, it is usually a comedy. But this is a dramedy in which much of the humor falls flat. While I usually want to like this kind of movie, I just did not find enough reasons to, despite the big name cast.
Poor Gabriel, with his stringy hair and casual demeanor. He is surrounded by strong, beautiful women, e.g. His wife, daughter, and best friend. It is 1979 for some reason, and our hero works as an architect and lives in Manhattan. Things seem to be going well in his life, but he is unfulfilled. He drinks too much and pals around with Cari (played by Mira Sorvino), and his gay, Black colleague (Mario Van Peebles, who steals the show). Some things happen, and Gabriel ends up alone and unemployed, but he is so self-centered that this barely seems to faze him. He finds purpose by writing a play based on his life, and - surprise, surprise - things start to turn around. But the break-through is not at all credible, and neither is the upbeat, romantic ending.
Writer-director Brooks Branch is a bit of a mystery man. I took a quick look at IMDB, and this is his only film. I wonder where he came from and where he went.
Poor Gabriel, with his stringy hair and casual demeanor. He is surrounded by strong, beautiful women, e.g. His wife, daughter, and best friend. It is 1979 for some reason, and our hero works as an architect and lives in Manhattan. Things seem to be going well in his life, but he is unfulfilled. He drinks too much and pals around with Cari (played by Mira Sorvino), and his gay, Black colleague (Mario Van Peebles, who steals the show). Some things happen, and Gabriel ends up alone and unemployed, but he is so self-centered that this barely seems to faze him. He finds purpose by writing a play based on his life, and - surprise, surprise - things start to turn around. But the break-through is not at all credible, and neither is the upbeat, romantic ending.
Writer-director Brooks Branch is a bit of a mystery man. I took a quick look at IMDB, and this is his only film. I wonder where he came from and where he went.