This 2014 film is almost prophetic. It looks into the life of Henry Altman, played by Robin Williams. This film was one of the last that Williams would make, and becomes more poignant because of that. Unlike the last performance of Heath Ledger as the joker (this film is no Dark Knight), Robin Williams takes the normal over the top comedy persona and transforms him into an angry, bitter and tormented character who has forgotten how to be happy. It is a short drive through human error and personal realisation that culminates in a touching end to the film.
While the film only scores 10% on Rotten Tomatoes I found this 83min film oddly charming. It misses some of the themes it tries to hit, but not by too much. If you are a less critical film viewer the film is enjoyable.
It has a pretty stellar cast with a few enjoyable cameos, and while there are arguably many flaws to the film, it is short enough to forgive them. The film touches on themes we can all relate to, even if some of the themes are not addressed as well as they could have been. The biggest mistake is trying to play the last 90 minutes of the characters life in semi real time. From the little I know of New York and Brooklyn, far too much happens or at least the journey the characters take would be unrealistic with the confines of the time frame we are given to believe is unfolding before our eyes.
It does however provide a few genuinely funny moments, with some very old jokes. A cameo from James Earl Jones as a shop keeper with a stutter was to me funny on a few levels. Not only because of the (almost) tired written jokes that they are using, but the fact James Earl Jones has such a strong, recognisable voice. Darth Vader, Mufasa and many more (little trivia from this is James Earl Jones and director Phil Alden Robinson worked together on Sneakers).
Peter Dinklage as Robin Williams' brother is amazing, this actor is even, in bad films a shining light of awesome.
Louis C.K. is in this fleetingly and while I had trouble believing he and Mila Kunis could be together, the fact his only scene is a sex scene, made it all the more funny. To give Mila Kunis her credit as an actress, in that scene she plays so well the look of someone enjoying the activities to disappointment and dejection.
The main down side is the, what appears to be, amateur use of green screen effects. The scene that is shot on green screen would have been a logistical nightmare to try to practically do, I get that. However it stands out like a sore thumb. I think they could have achieved the same results maybe shooting different scenes or in other locations but the fact they went with this option is a shame. It looks like it was thrown in at the last minute and heavily detracts from the rest of the movie.
Overall this was a reasonable film that meets its expectations, as long as your expectations are not too high and you don't ask too much of it. It is funny in places and has a genuine message hidden inside it somewhere. The idea of not putting off your life till tomorrow and accepting each other, and more importantly your family is more important than you realise. It's never too late to rekindle lost connections, however angry they make you.
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