Release Year: 2003
Average Rating:
Last Reviewed On: April 11, 2004 (by Scott)
(DVD version)
Scott's Review:
on April 11, 2004This movie was really liked by the critics. As of the time I'm writing this review, it's scored a 94% fresh ratting on Rotten Tomatoes. I point this out, because I think it's a great movie for critics. Perhaps that American culture is finally starting to turn me into someone with a thirty second attention span, but I can't help but think that this isn't that great of a flick.
Sure, it's a poignant study of emotional and geographical isolation. It's interesting in that respect, showing two people who are out of place in many ways latching on to each other for comfort. That sort of story is necessarily slow, and dramatic.
My biggest problem with it though, is I just didn't find my self caring about the characters. They seem to be just stumbling through life, and I'm not shown enough background about either character to really get enough of an insight and understanding of their motivations. Ever bit of this felt very predictable and boring.
The bits of the movie showing culture clashes, such as the opening sequence with Murray's character trying to do commercials for Japan are mildly amusing, but those few sequences can't really carry the movie.
-- Scott and Michelle