for directing this unusual film, having read the other reviews, I agree that, while this is not a "feel-good" movie, it is more of a character study, and as long as you don't picture yourself living his life, you won't get depressed.
But isn't that the point of a good film?. It could be, or has been something similar to our own life. We all relate to a loser boss, and co-employee Ethan Hawke is excellent. When Whaley gets in trouble at work, Hawke has mentioned to the boss that beer was missing. Whaley says ..."did you also mention that you smoke an ounce of pot a day before coming to work?"... Hawke: "No, it didn't come up"!. They work at a Tops/Costco supermarket, and it is certainly believable that people working there would need mind-altering substances!.
We see Whaley's general sense of alienation; Whaley also takes care of his grandmother, played by Lynn Cohen. His creative release, and hope for a better life, is at the Laughing Stock, where he tries to do stand up comedy. I was reminded of the film "Punchline", (circa 1989), which was of a similar vein, Tom Hanks as the tragic-comic protagonist. Carla Gugino plays the wife, and is realistic.
While it is not a "feel-good" movie it is a realistic portrayal of an average guy, there are some funny scenes like where he works at an Indian fast-food restaurant, and also selling fireplaces (very funny)... it is an original character study worth watching. You will especially relate to this film if you are from the metro NJ/NY area.
But isn't that the point of a good film?. It could be, or has been something similar to our own life. We all relate to a loser boss, and co-employee Ethan Hawke is excellent. When Whaley gets in trouble at work, Hawke has mentioned to the boss that beer was missing. Whaley says ..."did you also mention that you smoke an ounce of pot a day before coming to work?"... Hawke: "No, it didn't come up"!. They work at a Tops/Costco supermarket, and it is certainly believable that people working there would need mind-altering substances!.
We see Whaley's general sense of alienation; Whaley also takes care of his grandmother, played by Lynn Cohen. His creative release, and hope for a better life, is at the Laughing Stock, where he tries to do stand up comedy. I was reminded of the film "Punchline", (circa 1989), which was of a similar vein, Tom Hanks as the tragic-comic protagonist. Carla Gugino plays the wife, and is realistic.
While it is not a "feel-good" movie it is a realistic portrayal of an average guy, there are some funny scenes like where he works at an Indian fast-food restaurant, and also selling fireplaces (very funny)... it is an original character study worth watching. You will especially relate to this film if you are from the metro NJ/NY area.