A totally original plot with many connections to previous Jaglom movies, a great group of talented actors, beautiful cinematography and music. And yet... a painful movie to watch. Why? This could have been a great movie on the unique style of Henry Jaglom were it not to be for the unbelievable stubbornness of Mr.Jaglom to cast Ms Frederick as the main lead. Unfortunately she destroys any hope of success by her mediocre acting, her continuous nagging and her consistent ability not to be endearing at all. I am all for artistic freedom and yet, there are factors that have to be considered for the success of a film. Please, please, someone has to get Mr. Jaglom to come back to his senses and get a good casting director.
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mdom10 January 2012
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kcfl-115 December 2010Other writers and directors would do well to view Henry Jaglom's latest film. Not only would they be schooled into how to make every scene count (a skill mostly lost since the heyday of B films in the '30's), but they would get ideas for more films. He provides at least 3 suggestions: an action series about a redhead, a remake of "Trouble in Paradise," and a reality-based "Praying with the Stars." He even throws in a reference to an iconic moment in one of his earlier films, when his daughter "discovers" star Tanna Frederick. Even the minor characters here leave you wishing for more about them. Amid a strong veteran cast, Jack Heller steals all his scenes as the family patriarch. Jaglom rivals Woody Allen here with major comedy and a dollop of crime.