At the holidays, we are always looking for a good film to see, one the whole family would enjoy. Usually we are successful, having seen things like “Déjà Vu” and other similar action pictures that feature more than just “shoot them ups” When CollegeBoy showed us the trailer for this picture, my interest was immediately piqued, even though there was no “action”. What there was, was intelligence and wit and a likable set of characters. So we packed up the car and went to see this picture.
In short, it is sort of a light hearted “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” with a kinder, gentler edge. The similarities and contrasts are evident through the picture. Instead of Jack Nicholson, we get Keir Gilchrist (United States of Tara) in the lead role, a teenager struggling with growing up, facing expectations and being depressed. Instead of the crazy Nurse Ratchett, we get the sympathetic psychiatrist, Viola Davis (also in Tara…) who walks Keir through his 5 day stay in a NYC psychiatric hospital. The worlds of both pictures are filled with colorful, crazy characters like Danny DeVito in Cuckoo’s Nest and Zack Galifianakis in this picture. There are lessons to be learned in this picture that are lost on Nicholson but both portray a group of people that sometimes flaunt the rules, sometimes bend them but ultimately learn from their experience.
Keir Gilchrist as the teen Craig, is dealing with all the growing pains we see in young adults today. He is worried about school and getting into college, about having friends, being popular, and girls, girls, girls, as well as a fairly humorous eating disorder, all of which is wrapped around a good heart and the soul of a survivor. He is different in the end, having grown through the experience rather than continuing to act out and facing the repercussions that Jack Nicholson did in his film. Zach Galifianakis, a comedian at his core, gives a moving, yet still funny performance as Craig’s guiding light through life’s many twists and turns and helps him see himself as a good person with a lot to offer.
I would give this film 4 penguins.
Overall this was a funny, moving picture with just enough twists to keep you on your feet. It is not a thriller but still a very, very enjoyable film. I would not hesitate recommending this picture at all. I must say however that if your tastes in films runs only to the action variety, this will be disappoint. Some might consider this a chick flick but it really is a lot more than that. By the way, for an interesting twist, look up Zack Galifianakis on YouTube and look at the interview series he did – a bunch of 5 minute shorts. He is a very funny fellow and his offbeat humor is interesting. Thanks to CollegeBoy for this tip.
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