How To Be is an independent film written and directed by Oliver Irving. Humor and anguish are expertly integrated into the story of Art Freeman (played exquisitely by Robert Pattinson), a twenty-something lovable loser who feels that his life is less than it should be.
The movie follows Art along a path of discovery and maturity, both for himself and his life-long friend, the agoraphobic Ronny (a superb performance by Johnny White). Art spends his time working at a local grocery store and volunteering in an attempt to make something of his life; although his true passion is his songwriting and performing. When his girlfriend, Jessica (Alisa Arnah) dumps him he is forced to move back into his parents' house; a situation that is made more uncomfortable by his mother's (Rebecca Pidgeon) reaction that it was simply "a matter of time."
Art's self-loathing leads him to the self-help section of a bookstore. It is there that he finds his glimmer of hope when he discovers the book, It's Not Your Fault by Dr. Ellington (another great performance by Powell Jones). Not only does Art read the book religiously, but he spends his inheritance to bring the author to his home to personally help him through his life. As expected, comedy ensues. But along with the hilarity there is an ample amount of melancholy.
Art's parents are not the nurturing, loving parents that every child needs. He is a constant disappointment to them, and they make no qualms about telling him this. His seemingly unfeeling mother nearly collapses while trying to prevent him from hugging her! They offer him absolutely no support in his dream of becoming a musician.
Oliver Irving's creative mix of eclectic characters provides the audience with a wide variety of humor. The story is captivating and the acting is accomplished. It is altogether a brilliant film, worthy of the honors it has received.
And, from this reviewer's standpoint, if one wants to put an entire theater of women into a frenzy have Robert Pattinson say the line "I have an erection." Well done, Oliver!!
The movie follows Art along a path of discovery and maturity, both for himself and his life-long friend, the agoraphobic Ronny (a superb performance by Johnny White). Art spends his time working at a local grocery store and volunteering in an attempt to make something of his life; although his true passion is his songwriting and performing. When his girlfriend, Jessica (Alisa Arnah) dumps him he is forced to move back into his parents' house; a situation that is made more uncomfortable by his mother's (Rebecca Pidgeon) reaction that it was simply "a matter of time."
Art's self-loathing leads him to the self-help section of a bookstore. It is there that he finds his glimmer of hope when he discovers the book, It's Not Your Fault by Dr. Ellington (another great performance by Powell Jones). Not only does Art read the book religiously, but he spends his inheritance to bring the author to his home to personally help him through his life. As expected, comedy ensues. But along with the hilarity there is an ample amount of melancholy.
Art's parents are not the nurturing, loving parents that every child needs. He is a constant disappointment to them, and they make no qualms about telling him this. His seemingly unfeeling mother nearly collapses while trying to prevent him from hugging her! They offer him absolutely no support in his dream of becoming a musician.
Oliver Irving's creative mix of eclectic characters provides the audience with a wide variety of humor. The story is captivating and the acting is accomplished. It is altogether a brilliant film, worthy of the honors it has received.
And, from this reviewer's standpoint, if one wants to put an entire theater of women into a frenzy have Robert Pattinson say the line "I have an erection." Well done, Oliver!!