I enjoyed this movie a lot, especially the performances by Da'Vine Joy Randolph as Mary and Carrie Preston as Lydia. Paul Giamatti, as Professor Hunham, is one of those actors like Dustin Hoffman or Jack Nicholson who doesn't really disguise himself in a role but makes it work nevertheless. He is an excellent cranky teacher with a kind-hearted streak.
But, to avoid just repeating what others have said, I will comment on a couple of picky plot points I had trouble with.
First, he really does not come across as a good teacher. When we first meet him, he is handing out marked papers for his Ancient Civilizations class, which average out to about a D. Obviously he is not getting across to the students yet he stubbornly persists in his over-their-heads teaching style. And, as Angus later points out to him, he could be a lot more effective if he made the ancient Greeks' lives and behavior more relevant to the students' interests.
Second, why is he driving a beat-up sedan with a front door that doesn't work? As a single person with a steady, presumably well-paying job, a cheap campus apartment, meals in the cafeteria, and few expenses, why hasn't he saved enough to buy a decent car and retire early from a job he dislikes? And, third, that scene when he upbraids a seasonal Santa Claus for not wearing historically appropriate garb was painful and so clueless as to be out of character.
Nevertheless, it was a great re-creation of 1970, the chemistry between the three main characters was believable and affecting, and its theme of trying to make the best out of life's ups and downs is universal. It reminded me of the Russian proverb from Gogol's "The Overcoat": "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle."
But, to avoid just repeating what others have said, I will comment on a couple of picky plot points I had trouble with.
First, he really does not come across as a good teacher. When we first meet him, he is handing out marked papers for his Ancient Civilizations class, which average out to about a D. Obviously he is not getting across to the students yet he stubbornly persists in his over-their-heads teaching style. And, as Angus later points out to him, he could be a lot more effective if he made the ancient Greeks' lives and behavior more relevant to the students' interests.
Second, why is he driving a beat-up sedan with a front door that doesn't work? As a single person with a steady, presumably well-paying job, a cheap campus apartment, meals in the cafeteria, and few expenses, why hasn't he saved enough to buy a decent car and retire early from a job he dislikes? And, third, that scene when he upbraids a seasonal Santa Claus for not wearing historically appropriate garb was painful and so clueless as to be out of character.
Nevertheless, it was a great re-creation of 1970, the chemistry between the three main characters was believable and affecting, and its theme of trying to make the best out of life's ups and downs is universal. It reminded me of the Russian proverb from Gogol's "The Overcoat": "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle."
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