Brett Garten, Movie Extraordinare
Cinematic Sommelier
6.4
“Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris” was far superior to “Mrs. Harris goes to Amsterdam as her marriage falls apart.” It took me far too long to put things together watching this one. It pulled a lot of punches throughout, which made it difficult to follow at times. It had a hard time nailing down a tone and picking a lane. Some almost sweet moments undercut by an ironic lack of commitment.
8.7
One of those films that plays like… well, like a play. Seemingly a continuous shot, all contained within a single locale… relying on the sheer stage presence of those on screen. Engross yourself in this piece of art character study that hits you right in the feels from beginning to end as we all pull up a bar stool and get lost in the swirl of emotions. You’ll be humming along to the show tunes as you try to prevent yourself from getting too misty eyed at this one. Bravo and job well done to all involved here. Every frame of this was a work of cinematic art!
1.1
It’s lucky it got this score…
Andrew Kevin Walker is just trying to write another “Seven”… It’s getting worse than M. Night Shyamalan trying to recreate the magic of “The Sixth Sense” twist ending. The attempts just keep getting worse. Quit while you’re ahead. What could have been a solid grindhouse movie or killer thriller takes a left turn into half-cocked MK Ultra part anti-nuclear energy slop. Save yourself the hour and a half.
8.2
It’s amazing what trying to dodge a cover charge can lead to…
This one surprised the hell out of me. If you’ve listened to podcasts at all in the last decade, there’s a good chance you’ve heard a stand-up comic gushing about the life of a comic, grinding it out for years to build a set, learn to work a room, and the cost-benefit analysis that goes along with every step of the journey. This movie somehow tells that tale in a way that doesn’t seem stale and keeps you engaged the entire runtime in the sea of quirks. There’s not really a single character wasted in this entire thing, and each interaction’s awkwardness is somehow a springboard to a therapeutic release of sorts put to film. Will Arnett and Laura Dern absolutely kill it here.
8.4
Humans being human… my FAVORITE!
In the vein of my recent favorite Christmas film “The Holdovers,” I think this is going to join the yearly rotation! The unlikely and undeniable charm and chemistry between Didi and Cliff is truly something special. It’s not often you get such an abnormal narrative that has the right mix of serious and silly to thread the needle and land the plan. Alas, here we are! A feel good flick that holds its own with the best of them! Highly recommend!
Brett Garten, Movie Extraordinare 