Joaquin Phoenix is a drunk, who wrecks his car and becomes an invalid bound to a wheelchair for life. How will he manage to live on? Based on a true story about John Callahan.
The title by itself "Dont worry he wont get far on foot" is quite exemplary for the sarcastic humor in this picture, in which all the rightfully painful excuses alcholics have for drinking are being made fun of. It's the humor that keeps this serious story about alcohol addiction lighthearted.
Great acting performances by Joaquin Phoenix and Jonah Hill. Both excell at portraying full blown drunks in recovery. Great to see the singer from Sonic Youth perform a role as well. Same surpise to see Udo Kier. This is a full on actor's movie, with truly wonderful performances.
Any bad? Well, the pace and the dramatic climax of this movie are all somewhat subdued and slowburning, therefore only 7 stars. I must mention though that ALL of director Gus van Sant's movies are slowburning in nature, so it isnt really a fault that this story proceeds in a somewhat slowburning tempo as well. But because of this subdued slowburning characteristic I felt that this was merely an ok drama, instead of a great one.
The title by itself "Dont worry he wont get far on foot" is quite exemplary for the sarcastic humor in this picture, in which all the rightfully painful excuses alcholics have for drinking are being made fun of. It's the humor that keeps this serious story about alcohol addiction lighthearted.
Great acting performances by Joaquin Phoenix and Jonah Hill. Both excell at portraying full blown drunks in recovery. Great to see the singer from Sonic Youth perform a role as well. Same surpise to see Udo Kier. This is a full on actor's movie, with truly wonderful performances.
Any bad? Well, the pace and the dramatic climax of this movie are all somewhat subdued and slowburning, therefore only 7 stars. I must mention though that ALL of director Gus van Sant's movies are slowburning in nature, so it isnt really a fault that this story proceeds in a somewhat slowburning tempo as well. But because of this subdued slowburning characteristic I felt that this was merely an ok drama, instead of a great one.