Director: Ross Katz Starring: Rose Byrne, Nick Kroll, Bobby Cannavale Writers: Jeff Cox, Liz Flahive | 2.5/5 Adult Beginners I feel like I just saw this movie last week…with all these same people. That is a bit of a hyperbole, of course, but just last year Joe Swanberg released a similar film called Happy Christmas - like, REAL similar. A selfish sibling - in this case, a brother - moves in with a more put-together sibling, only to realize that the put-together sibling has just as many problems. I would be willing to bet money that it’s been a setup long before even Swanberg did it. The Duplass brothers, who executive produced this film, just finished airing their TV debut, HBO’s Togetherness, that practically stretches this idea out to eight episodes - with much better results, might I had. Adult Beginners, using a fairly weak metaphor about swimming pools, fails to add anything substantial to the conversation. Our wayfaring brother here is Jake (Nick Kroll), a gifted salesman and a poor investor/all-around dude. He hates manual labor, doing things himself, kids, adult mannerisms, and selfless behavior, which makes it seem strange that his first place to crash is the couch of his suburban sister Justine (Rose Byrne) and her husband Danny (Bobby Cannavale). It goes without saying that he hates it there; it also goes without saying that he loves it by movie’s end. His main responsibility is to take care of his nephew, Teddy, which he hates doing…until he loves it. No surprises here. It does not even come as a shock when he finds Danny cheating on his sister. Jake skirts responsibility until he is forced to face it, after which he learns a valuable lesson about what really matters. |
It is hard to sit through the whole film waiting for director Ross Katz, known for producing some notable Sofia Coppola films, to add a unique spin that never comes. Swanberg added his signature improvised feel and some hipster charm, but Adult Beginners lacks any memorable “feel” and it definitely is not charming. I almost want to blame it on Kroll, whose presence feels more obnoxious than anything. I am about halfway through a Parks and Rec run, so his recurring guest role as radio talk show host The Douche may be clouding my judged. Who knows? To be such a funny comedian, his leading role is scant on laughs, as is the film.
That would be OK, if the film was an engaging drama, which it isn’t. Kroll’s dramatic work is not bad, but he pales in comparison to Byrne and Cannavale, two actors with loads more dramatic experience. Even though Byrne is stuck in an unoriginal role that offers her little to do but be pregnant, she still manages to bring her all to the game. I would have to say MVP goes to Cannavale, who never ceases to amaze me. In any other movie, his character would be the lead villain, but he manages to humanize Danny in surprising and satisfying ways.
Too bad the cast could not save the movie from its rushed and unfulfilling conclusion. All the bits you expect to happen happen, like Jake’s awakening, and the more juicy stuff, like Danny’s adultery, is wrapped up with an unsure smiley face question mark. There’s one exchange that cleanly sums up the whole film. After just finding out that a potential-girlfriend was definitely not into him, Jake confesses, “I thought you were taking this seriously, and that made me feel better about my life,” to which the girl responds with a simple “Oh…That’s f****d up.” Yep, pretty much. On to the next one.
(Available on iTunes)
That would be OK, if the film was an engaging drama, which it isn’t. Kroll’s dramatic work is not bad, but he pales in comparison to Byrne and Cannavale, two actors with loads more dramatic experience. Even though Byrne is stuck in an unoriginal role that offers her little to do but be pregnant, she still manages to bring her all to the game. I would have to say MVP goes to Cannavale, who never ceases to amaze me. In any other movie, his character would be the lead villain, but he manages to humanize Danny in surprising and satisfying ways.
Too bad the cast could not save the movie from its rushed and unfulfilling conclusion. All the bits you expect to happen happen, like Jake’s awakening, and the more juicy stuff, like Danny’s adultery, is wrapped up with an unsure smiley face question mark. There’s one exchange that cleanly sums up the whole film. After just finding out that a potential-girlfriend was definitely not into him, Jake confesses, “I thought you were taking this seriously, and that made me feel better about my life,” to which the girl responds with a simple “Oh…That’s f****d up.” Yep, pretty much. On to the next one.
(Available on iTunes)