Film Reviews by None

An ok comedy, amusing in places, ridiculous plots and characters in others. Some of the scenes reminded me of Ben Stiller in Meet the Fockers but Jason Segel, the main male actor, is no Ben Stiller.

Laughing out aloud at the puerile humour feels like a guilty pleasure. This comedy is just gross but I'd seen the first film, so what did I expect to be different in the second? Actually, it's kinder, the characters are portrayed as more likeable in their various inept ways. But it's still gross humour!

Enjoyed watching this film. Fascinating observing the main character learn through his interactions with his OS lover how to relate openly to a romantic partner, something that he hadn't achieved in his marriage, which leaves the hope that he will be able to take what he has learned into his next relationship. Photography was beautiful, acting believable. As in many movies, the audience is asked to suspend belief, and to inhabit briefly an imaginary future world. Lots of philosophical questions to ponder about where technology is taking us, the nature of reality etc.

The plot was very simple - can the heroine persuade enough of her co workers to change their minds about voting for her to be laid off so they could receive their bonus? But the story is actually about her journey in developing resilience to whatever life is throwing at her, with the help of her determined husband. Unfortunately a lot of that journey and of her coworkers reactions I found unbelievable, so I found I didn't engage with the characters, and didn't care what happened to them, I was just observing dispassionately. The husband was to me the best actor in the film, many of the other characters seemed wooden. And if they were all so hard up, why did they all have brand new cars, kids had laptops, everyone in new clothes? Just didn't add up, shame. The photography seemed to me more like news reportage. Lots of missed opportunities in the making of this film.

If you want lots of action, shooting, car chases, dare devil stunts etc in your spy thrillers then this film is not for you. If you want to watch restrained yet brilliant acting from Philip Seymour Hoffman - able to speak volumes through a glance, through a single facial expression - then it's a masterclass. The story builds slowly but surefootedly to its devastating climax. There are questions left unanswered by the end about some of the characters - but does that matter? That very ambiguity allows the viewer to use their own intelligence rather than needing spoon feeding all the background information. Visually it was great, wonderful symbolism in the photography, from the opening shot to the closing one. The only thing I would change is some of the accents, supposedly German - difficult to work out what was being said in some instances - at least watching on DVD can rewind and listen again if it feels you've missed something crucial. Overall an intelligent and engrossing film, would recommend it (as long as you don't crave action, shooting etc)