Paramount Vantage Pictures presents an R rated 92 minute film directed by Noah Baumbach and starring Nicole Kidman (Margot), Zane Paris (Claude), Jack Black (Malcolm), Flora Cross (Ingrid), Jennifer Jason Leigh (Pauline) with Seth Barrish (Toby), Matthew Arkin (Alan), Michael Cullen (Mr. Vogler), Enid Graham (Mrs. Vogler), Sophie Nyweide (Vogler Daughter), Justin Rioth (Vogler Son), Claran Hinds (Dick Koosman) and Halley Feiffer (Maisy Koosman).
The story follows Margot and her son Claude on a trip from Manhattan to their old family home on the coast. They arrive to attend the wedding of her sister, Pauline, to a not so idealistic, over-weight, no sense of direction in life, irresponsible man, Malcolm. Margot, is a somewhat famous writer on the brink of divorce, with a sheltered son, Claude. Pauline, an attractive ex-colt member that settles for less than perfect, has a daughter Ingrid and a dog. Once these people all come together under one roof, secrets are revealed and emotions run rampant based on memories of their childhood, the present and there possible futures.
The film has some intriguing relevance in the conversations of the characters and the scenarios in which they face but the direction is so bad that you lose yourself in the gritty production values like lighting, photography and overall believability to the story line. Grant it Nicole Kidman is phenomenal for what she had to work with in terms of blotchy writing, editing and script. Jennifer Jason Leigh was also an asset to the film but Black was a bit lost in translation let alone clothing. As for the rest of the cast they were all a bit dark, dry and withered like the tree in the yard that the scary backwoods neighbors wanted cut down due to the roots on their property. Strange how the writers threw this family from deliverance into the plot! I guess you can pick your house but not your neighbors just like you can pick a role but not a guaranteed box office success.
The film tries to cover some hot topics from nudity, sex, gay relations, infidelity, childhood memories but looses itself amongst the lack of dramatics making the film a bit too real, almost too dull and confusing. Even though it is labeled as a comedy slash drama I hardly found humor in much of the story. Ok, maybe when Margot climbs a tree or Pauline shows a foot to Maisy with thoughts of showing her a quicker way downstairs. Even when Malcolm took the conversation to the toilet, it was a bit more absurd than comical. Grant it the film had some moments thankfully due to the brilliant acting by Kidman and the superb job she did with her words, emotions, decisions and overall delivery to an otherwise awkward film.
It's hard to find people in the world you love more than your family even when your family is dysfunctional. It's also hard to sit in a theatre and watch a poor film even though it has a brilliant lead actress in the starring role. Albeit only a small percentage of the audience walked out of the film but after hearing their comments, I'm surprised they didn't run as fast as Margot for the nearest bus out of there! Maybe renaming the film Margot at the funeral would have been a bit more appropriate since I see this film dieing a quick death as if hit by a bus.
Reporting for Talkin' Pets, I'm Jon Patch.