Reading the commercial reviews for this film only confirms my belief that no reviewers can be trusted and that most of the reviews are probably bought and paid for by the production companies.
This is a film about a woman supposedly entirely changed by her rage when she is left by her husband. But through the entire film, the change is reflected in two ways only: by Joan Allen's cold, robotic expression for 90% of the film, and by her rude treatment of the daughters she supposedly loves. It was to me entirely unbelievable that Kevin Costner's character, who is typically Costner-warm and accessible, would be attracted to such a creature. It certainly wouldn't be because of her personality, and it's hard to imagine it could be because of her emaciated body. The film's billing as a "dark comedy" is just as strange. I found not a single scene worthy of a smile, much less laughter - unless Allen's reflexive cruelty to (1) her daughters; (2) Costner; (3) her daughter's doctor; (4) one daughter's love interest, or bedding interest, etc., etc., is what passes for humor in American film these days.
That's what annoyed me the most. Film has such enormous potential: to enlighten, inspire, bring a little joy or laughter, provoke thought. When a film does none of these, and still gets glowing reviews from the mainstream press, it's just flat-out depressing.
Not only Allen's character is flat: the film's story flatlines until the last 5 minutes. One daughter is hospitalized, supposedly seriously ill. We see her in the hospital bed once, then she's out, radiant. What was her illness? did Mom ever talk to her about it except for 5 seconds in the hospital room? No way. Mom is so distraught over daughter's illness she actually reveals humanity and cries. But does she respect her daughter's heartfelt wish that Dad be notified of her illness? No way. Such behavior is either errant nonsense or indicative of characters so devoid of human warmth and responsibility as to be completely unsympathetic to any slightly discerning audience.
Alas, American audiences are so famished for movies with real meat and heart and brain, this drivel is praised as funny and smart. Pathetic.
This is a film about a woman supposedly entirely changed by her rage when she is left by her husband. But through the entire film, the change is reflected in two ways only: by Joan Allen's cold, robotic expression for 90% of the film, and by her rude treatment of the daughters she supposedly loves. It was to me entirely unbelievable that Kevin Costner's character, who is typically Costner-warm and accessible, would be attracted to such a creature. It certainly wouldn't be because of her personality, and it's hard to imagine it could be because of her emaciated body. The film's billing as a "dark comedy" is just as strange. I found not a single scene worthy of a smile, much less laughter - unless Allen's reflexive cruelty to (1) her daughters; (2) Costner; (3) her daughter's doctor; (4) one daughter's love interest, or bedding interest, etc., etc., is what passes for humor in American film these days.
That's what annoyed me the most. Film has such enormous potential: to enlighten, inspire, bring a little joy or laughter, provoke thought. When a film does none of these, and still gets glowing reviews from the mainstream press, it's just flat-out depressing.
Not only Allen's character is flat: the film's story flatlines until the last 5 minutes. One daughter is hospitalized, supposedly seriously ill. We see her in the hospital bed once, then she's out, radiant. What was her illness? did Mom ever talk to her about it except for 5 seconds in the hospital room? No way. Mom is so distraught over daughter's illness she actually reveals humanity and cries. But does she respect her daughter's heartfelt wish that Dad be notified of her illness? No way. Such behavior is either errant nonsense or indicative of characters so devoid of human warmth and responsibility as to be completely unsympathetic to any slightly discerning audience.
Alas, American audiences are so famished for movies with real meat and heart and brain, this drivel is praised as funny and smart. Pathetic.