Deanna
There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.
moonspinner55
Undistinguished, straight-to-tape comedy-drama about a group of young people in New York hoping to find true love, apparently made by a gang of Hollywood friends just out to have a little fun. It's a competently-made but forgettable trifle financed by Miramax and developed by The Sundance Institute, none of whom could get this thing into theaters. Written and directed by Adam Park, who has a sitcom sense of humor and sense of timing to match. The cast--including Jennifer Beals, Drew Barrymore, James LeGros and...Jon Stewart (!)--tries hard, but they aren't given anything of interest to say or do. *1/2 from ****
Jim (jim-1225)
'Wishful Thinking' was shown on TV last night, with more appearing after midnight than before. I'm afraid I was rather tired, and dozed off here and there. I do not recommend napping during this title, as there is so much of the content which the viewer needs to tie together. There isn't much padding. Fortunately, I was smart enough to record this title in case it was worth a review, and I'm glad I did. I watched it again this morning, and made so much more of it now that I'm in more awake mode.The plot is based around a quintet's relationships: three guys and two girls. I found all of the characters interesting. True to real life, each displayed virtues and vices. As far as I'm concerned, this does qualify as a comedy. It is not the slapstick variety, but a quiet sense of humour, which amused me, pervades the movie. I'm not so sure that it is a romantic comedy, because the romance isn't really touching enough, but I wouldn't call it unromantic.The whole quintet played their parts well, and which of them we prefer will depend on our outlook on life. Elizabeth (Jennifer Beals) was the character I liked best. There was something very charming and commendable about Elizabeth, and I will look forward to seeing Jennifer Beals again on my screen if she has done any similar work. I also enjoyed Henry (Jon Stewart), a character of depth whose company would be great fun and appreciated by everybody.I'm no expert, so what I am about to say concerning the film's director, Adam Park, may reap disdain from those more knowledgeable than I, those having different tastes, or those who have a different understanding of life. I thought the director did a great job in many respects. Like 'Pleasantville', the clever use of colour and monochrome added an extra dimension. There were plenty of facial close-ups, which I need to get a good feel for a character. Continuity might seem somewhat disjointed, but that is the nature of this beast. In fact, the viewer is steadily gaining more of the overall picture throughout. I would like to make three points in particular: (i) This film is well structured, but demands intelligence and alertness from the audience. Other reviews indicate that it is easy to lose track of the action, and some will fail to make the necessary connections. (ii) The ending, shown concurrently with the credits, gives a strong indication as to how events pan out, but it wasn't sufficiently conclusive for me. As a person who loves everything properly wrapped up and with a happy-ever-after ending, I didn't have full confidence in the enduring quality of the suggested final relationships. I'm willing to grant that they might be promising, however. (iii) Particularly as the writing credits were attributed to the director, please take note that a significant minority of us don't like effing in the scripts, of which there were about five bouts in 'Wishful Thinking'. Also, cheap laughs might be had by demonstrating a lack of respect for God and religion, but the serious consequences of this will only be understood by many when they inevitably meet their Maker. The moral tone, language and respect for God in a film largely determines whether or not I am willing to buy the DVD, if there is one. In this case, it would need to be exceedingly cheap to tempt me, but by that I am not suggesting this movie is without merit.To sum up, please don't judge this movie on a single viewing. It improves greatly on the second time around, and I would certainly be tempted to watch it again in a while, if and when it is re-shown.
kevinl-87
OK, I had high hopes for this film. I thought the "He Said, She Said" type story would be cute. There were definite quirky things in the film that I thought would be developed better, but sadly no...It seemed like they spent time on the first three "chapters", got tired and gave up. Definitely had some promise that did not deliver. So what exactly do I mean? What was up with the blue door? From Max's perspective, when he broke into the apartment the door was blue, but from Elizabeth's perspective it was yellow? What was up with the spoon? Short story at the beginning but it was not really connected that much.Another thing, most movies that begin with "Two Years Earlier" give you some perspective as to when you are back in the present time. I guess when he was shaving it was assumed that you were somewhere near the beginning of the movie.I guess that was the real problem I had with the movie. It was more of a lot of disconnected ideas mixed up into one plot. It just seemed like a so much potential, but such a waste. Maybe the director had a lot of great ideas from film school he wanted to apply to his first film.
CiciB
Good God all mighty someone please save me from this movie. I saw the preview and it looked reasonably comedic. As it turned out those few moments were the only ones that were funny AT ALL! This movie depicts a group of struggling twenty-somethings in their quest to find/understand love. My oh my what an original theme. It relieves the same events over and over, each time a different character is the 'narrator'. I couldn't stand this movie long enough to finish it so please don't ask me how it ends. I'm giving it two enthusiastic thumbs down.
