ViewGuide

Created Jan 23, 2011 05:12PM PST • Edited Jan 23, 2011 05:12PM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Very Good 3.5

   A great performance by Joaquin Phoenix holds this movie together. He shines the unstable bachelor Leonard flip-flopping back and forth between the safe family choice or the unavailable equally unstable hottie. This movie does a darn good job at portraying the Brooklyn Jewish family dynamics as well as the dynamic personalities on all sides. Although not quite believable at times, the film is nonetheless very entertaining and unique enough to hold your interest in what happens next!

4. Acting

   Really Great 4.5

   Joaquin Pheonix is da bomb! He comes across incredibly well as a “not quite all there” mentally down Jewish young man still living at home. Gwynneth Paltrow also is really good as the hottie with low self esteem. This gal shouldn’t even be cavorting with the likes of Leonard, but then again, she’s also in love with an unavailable married man. And Vinessa Shaw? She’s an unknown I wish had a larger role in this film. Finally, but certainly not least, Isabella Rosellini comes across as a natural, albeit a bit young-ish looking as Leonard’s mom.

5. Male Stars Really Great 4.5

6. Female Stars Really Great 4.5

7. Female Costars Really Great 4.5

8. Male Costars Really Great 4.5

10. Film

    Very Good 3.5

    This movie comes across as a muted Woody Allen film – an esoteric story-line and dynamic acting – just a bit more dark with much less humor. I suppose a good mood for a NYC based movie, but perhaps not as memorable.

11. Direction Very Good 3.5

12. Play Very Good 3.5

13. Music Very Good 3.5

14. Visuals Very Good 3.5
15. Content

16. Edge

    Risqué 2.5

    I haven’t seen sex scenes as well done in some time. Woo-hoo!

17. Sex Titillating 2.5

18. Violence Fierce 2.5

19. Rudeness Salty 2.5

21. Reality

    Surreal 2.1

22. Circumstantial Surreal 2.1

23. Biological Surreal 2.1

24. Physical Surreal 2.1