Moustroll
Good movie but grossly overrated
TrueHello
Fun premise, good actors, bad writing. This film seemed to have potential at the beginning but it quickly devolves into a trite action film. Ultimately it's very boring.
Zandra
The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.
TxMike
Matthew Broderick is Ben Singer, who once was a popular guitarist and singer of children's songs but now, and for the last 8 years, has been working in a menial job as a proofreader. He is divorced but with a 12-yr-old daughter he sees some weekends, and he has a roommate to share the expenses of his small apartment. They never say where they are, but it was filmed in and around Shreveport, Louisiana.Ben's biggest "anchor" in life is his sour outlook. Not only does this affect his own life, but it rubs off on others. Young Canadian actress Jodelle Ferland as his daughter Sandra gets to where she doesn't want to be around dad because he comes across as so negative.So the small story is really about Ben and how he can get a new lease on life, a new and fresh perspective so he can begin to enjoy life again, as well as those around him.SPOILERS FOLLOW: His roommate, from Senegal, is a diabetic and gets so sick he goes into a coma. Hospitalized, his sister, Sanaa Lathan as Khadi, comes to take care of him, and stays at the apartment. She and Ben develop a liking to each other, which turns into love-making. As her brother gets better, Ben overhears them talking and wrongly believes Khadi is faking love for him so that he will marry her so she can stay here legally. The misunderstanding drives her back to Senegal, where she is happy. When her brother dies and Ben takes his remains back home, and tries to re-kindle the romance with Khadi, she says, "I like it here, it is home, What are you going to do, stay in Senegal?" They go their separate ways and he re-kindles his interest in singing and guitar playing, and begins to break out of his negativism.
amelaus29
I found this film to very well written and directed. The story is about the life we all lead and all its obstacles, which are superbly edited to show them to us, but not too grimly.It pats you on the back relatively quickly with elements that seem extraordinary but really are natural phenomenons and not to be taken seriously. It generously shows how seeing the world in such a way can impact harshly on you, but how you still learn from the experience.It grasps upon the warmth and clarity that can be gained from truly compatible relationships when looking at the world through these eyes, in this way, it presents a seek and you shall find attitude.The ending is... well when you find the end, there will be the beginning. One of my favorite films.
sanden-616-529133
I wasn't sure what to expect but I loved this thoughtful drama. The cast is terrific, especially Matthew Broderick and Sanaa Lathan. Who knew Michael K. Williams (THE WIRE) could play a guy with such heart. I cared about every relationship in this film. It's not just a love story between Ben (Matthew Broderick) and Khadi (Sanaa Lathan). It's a story about how all the imperfect but human relationships in Ben's life (his daughter, his roommate) force him out of his protective, cynical shell. I won't spoil anything but I got definitely got teary eyed in parts. It's a subtle and moving film but thankfully there's some humor in it as well. It's a little gem.
Filmgrrrl
I saw this movie at the Tribeca Film Festival this past spring, and I was truly moved. It reminds me of "It's a Wonderful Life", one of those movies that really touches the soul. It's the story of a man who gets tripped up by his own negativity (reminds me of my husband!), but is actually a good person, and yearns to connect. It features Matthew Broderick's best performance since "Election", and I cried at the end. As did my two friends who came with me. We were totally unprepared to be so swept away by emotion. So many films these days are mindless crap, but this one is authentic and honest, and very very funny. I want the soundtrack too!Also for "The Wire" fans, it also stars Omar, a.k.a Michael Williams, one of the greatest actors working today.
