Ed's Review Dot Com

GNK Productions, Haut et Court, The Match Factory,

Miranda July, Hamish Linklater, David Warshofsky, Isabella Acres, Joe Putterlik, Angela Trimbur, Mary Passeri, Kathleen Gati, Clement von Franckenstein, Tonita Castro

Sophie (Miranda July) and Jason (Hamish Linklater) are a modern couple connected to the internet. Sophie teaches dance classes for little kids, and Jason is computer tech support from their apartment. But when they find a stray cat named Paw-Paw, they take her to the vet only to find out that the cat is very sick and needs treatment for one month. After that Paw-Paw will be coming home and their lives will suddenly have some responsibility. Realizing that their lives will change forever, they determine to take the 30 days before Paw-Paw comes home, to live life to the fullest. Unplugging from the internet and going outside tests their boundaries and their lives together and puts their relationship in jeopardy.

This is an indie film, and intended to be heavy art. I found it really annoying and boring as hell. I realize the characters are not supposed to be likable, and they are not supposed to be realistic. But the whole point of this movie is lost on me. Not only are they ridiculous, but I didn’t really care about them. Then the depressing ending didn’t depress me. I figured it was all probably for the best considering what a**holes these two were in the first place. Then I found that Ms July wrote it, starred in it, directed it, and we all know how wonderfully it worked out for Eddie Murphy when he tried to do everything. I think Norbett may have ruined his career!

Trying to find something positive to say about this movie, I tried listening to the laugh track…..I mean commentary track after watching this mess to see if maybe there was something I was just missing. At least the commentary track featured writer Miranda July, director Miranda July, and movie star Miranda July, so we had 3 viewpoints on it, but they were decided in agreement that there was nothing much going on. It was all about Me, Myself, and I, and lots of I did this, and I though this, and I decided to do this. Then part way into the commentary I heard the words “I am Berkeley” and at that point I turned it of and said out loud, “Well that explains it”. Not “I’m from Berkeley” or “I went to Berkeley”, but “I am Berkeley”. I thought, “Yes you are”.

So this is not a film that appeals to me. I enjoy films that make you think about things (See my review of Melancholia for a artsy film that I really enjoyed). But this is a narcissistic pile of junk with no redeeming qualities that I can see. Oh, and the film is narrated by Paw-Paw the cat in one of the most awful voices I’ve ever heard. But at least they hired a wonderful voice artist for the part that goes screeching throughout the entire film. No other than Miranda July.

EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog