DVD Review: While We're Young

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Asshole friends call for desperate measures.

Josh (Ben Stiller) is a documentarian whose been working on his latest film for the better part of a decade. His wife Cornelia (Naomi Watts) thinks he makes too many excuses, and has recently been struggling with fertility. On top of that, her asshole friend, and new crunchy mom Marina (Maria Dizzia) keeps telling her how much better her life would be if she had a child. One day during a lecture, Josh meets a young married couple Jamie, and Darby. (Adam Driver and Amanda Seyfried) Jamie sees Josh as an inspiration and also wants to make documentaries. They start hanging out with the two 20 something much to the shock of their crunchy asshole friends.

A film like this had potential to share an interesting commentary on ageism and midlife crisis. It got there a few times, but the film was never more than just "okay." Josh's work ethic is irritating. I felt bad for Cornelia, Jamie is a creep and Darby barely serves a purpose. It's like they kept scratching the surface of interesting but never moved past it. It was very disappointing. 

The one thing this film does have going for it is the acting. Driver and Watts are the stand outs and get a few opportunities to show their range. Brady Corbet, who I love shows up for a few scenes too that I enjoyed. Though Seyfriend is wasted. I read an interview with her where she says she related more to the adults in the film than her own character, I can see why. She was just there to be flaky.

Recommended: No

Grade: C

Memorable Quote. "I AM old!" - Josh (Ben Stiller)


Comments

  1. AnonymousFebruary 17, 2016 at 9:15 AM

    Watts is brilliant here...BRILLIANT. When I was done watching this, I really liked it...but the more I rest on it the less I care about anything except Watts.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamFebruary 17, 2016 at 1:23 PM

      It's just kind of there. But Watts is incredible, as always.

      Delete
  2. AnonymousFebruary 17, 2016 at 4:05 PM

    It's a shame this wasn't better. I'd even be willing to sit through a Ben Stiller movie to see Naomi Watts in action.

    ReplyDelete
  3. thevoid99February 17, 2016 at 9:26 PM

    I did enjoy the film as I really liked Watts a lot yet I think the one performance that was overlooked was Amanda Seyfried.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamFebruary 17, 2016 at 10:11 PM

      She barely had anything to do in this film. I'm surprised she took the part in the first place.

      Delete
  4. Candice FrederickFebruary 17, 2016 at 10:47 PM

    smh i really was rooting for this one

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamFebruary 18, 2016 at 1:24 PM

      It's a shame it didn't work better with a cast like this.

      Delete
  5. BirgitFebruary 18, 2016 at 12:00 PM

    Oh...bummer about this film. I like Watts a lot

    ReplyDelete
  6. Big Screen Small WordsFebruary 19, 2016 at 1:57 AM

    This film didn't work for me. I didn't hate it, but it wasn't worth the hype either.

    ReplyDelete
  7. JoshFebruary 27, 2016 at 9:06 AM

    Yeah, this movie was disappointing. Like, I've already started to forget it. :/

    ReplyDelete

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