Review: The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected)

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All in the family.

Harold Meyerowitz (Dustin Hoffman) is an artist in New York City. He didn't treat his first two children, Danny (Adam Sandler) and Jean (Elizabeth Marvel) very well. He saved all his affection for his youngest child, Matthew. (Ben Stiller) Now they're all reunited in New York and things are awkward to say the least.

I can't describe director Noah Baumbach's style. I mostly enjoy his work, but I rarely feel like revisiting any of them. This is another I likely won't go back to any time soon but I did enjoy watching it for what it was.

Adam Sandler, man that guy has been starved of good work. He's trying so hard here that he falls into the "over the top" category a bit, but you can see there's a good actor under there. As much as I joke about Adam Sandler movies, the guy does have talent and it was nice seeing him get to flex his chops a bit, even if it didn't always stick. Elizabeth Marvel, and Grace Van Patten (Playing Eliza, Danny's daughter) were the most interesting ones to me. I wanted to know more about Jean, even though her entire purpose was to be the forgotten one. A late reveal in her story brings on one of the strongest moments in the entire film. 

The editing was really choppy and I found that distracting. The level of dysfunction is almost too uncomfortable at times. I cringed during entire conversations between Harold and his children but I can't help but see how effective it really was.  For a film streaming on Netflix, this is a good enough watch.

Recommended: Yes

Grade: C+

Memorable Quote: "I can smash every car in this parking lot and it wouldn't un-fuck me up." - Jean (Elizabeth Marvel)




Comments

  1. Big Screen Small WordsOctober 24, 2017 at 6:50 AM

    This is on my watch list, I'm hoping to get around to it soon.

    ReplyDelete
  2. m.brownOctober 24, 2017 at 8:07 AM

    I think I'd be willing to give this a shot. The cast seems a bit ridiculous...in a good way.

    Hahahaha....that quote is f--king great!

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousOctober 24, 2017 at 1:06 PM

    I really liked this. I love seeing Dustin Hoffman in a meaty role.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamOctober 25, 2017 at 6:43 AM

      I know you did, and I was hoping I'd like it as much as you. It was just okay for me.

      Delete
  4. thevoid99October 24, 2017 at 3:12 PM

    Being a fan of Baumbach, I will see this just to see what he can bring out of Sandler. Yes, Adam Sandler does have the chops but prefers to cater to his base of morons.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamOctober 25, 2017 at 6:42 AM

      Which is unfortunate when you know he has things like Punch Drunk Love and Spanglish in him.

      Delete
  5. BirgitOctober 26, 2017 at 8:52 AM

    I want to see this movie because I enjoy this type of film. Even in the picture, I want to know more about the girl

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamOctober 31, 2017 at 7:06 AM

      She was my favorite character in the film! I hope you like it.

      Delete
  6. AnonymousOctober 30, 2017 at 10:36 AM

    I really like Baumbach and felt this movie channeled a lot of what I enjoy about him. At the same time there is something missing that I can't quite put my finger on. I actually really liked the performances from Sandler and Stiller.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamOctober 31, 2017 at 7:05 AM

      I liked what Sandler was trying to do, I just think he's phoned it in so much for years that he has a lot of kinks to get out before he has "it" again.

      Delete

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