By Jozua J. Jonker
Viewing at: Ster Kinekor
Release Date: Released
Written and Directed by Kirk Jones
Produced by Vittorio Cecchi Gori, Ted Field
Genre: Drama
Classification: 13MLV
Running Time: 99Min
Release Date: Released
Written and Directed by Kirk Jones
Produced by Vittorio Cecchi Gori, Ted Field
Genre: Drama
Classification: 13MLV
Running Time: 99Min
Another arty film for me to review: as I sit and read through some of the other critic's reviews, I am amazed at their sheer knowledge and expertise on film. I also realise that some reviewers write for the general public and others write for filmmakers. As I read through one particular review I could agree with many of the tinks in the armour of “Everybody's Fine” by Kirk Jones. Being new to the art circuit of films I am not always aware of the intricacies of an art film and what should be presented by a filmmaker to make it extra-ordinary.
Like “The Visitor” this film moved me... For me, it started very slow, since I am an adventurer at heart, but the film suddenly moved up a few passes as the plot progressed. I did not see the original film, “Stanno tutti bene” by Guiseppe Tornatore, but based on my sources both are equally suited for its time.
The film is about a father of four, Frank Goode (Robert de Niro), who eagerly awaits the arrival of his children to a family get together at his house. The kids cancel at the last minute which spurs our main character on to go and visit them. He does not inform them of his new founded adventure to their surprise which they are faced with, with their father's out of the blue visit.
So what did move me about this film? My father. Yes, the man was as emotionally detached as Frank although he did not give much attention to gardening. Frank catches on to the 21st century re-invention of everyday jobs with provocative titles, like housewives are now known as home executives. So, he teaches his son David that he is not a painter but an artist. Each child, David, Rosie (Drew Barrymore), Amy (Kate Beckensale) and Robert (Sam Rockwell) tries to reach their father's expectations of them but only Amy succeeds to get to the pinnacle of what conventional wisdom calls success. With it she pays the price of failed a marriage and so each of them also pays individual prices for their life choices. Fathers have the tendency to bring the worst or best out in each of us. There are two types of fathers out there: first their are those that try and do good, they are not always approachable, but then do we even try from our side. Then there are those who don't know how and no matter how much you try they will always be a closed book.
I see Frank as stubborn and it seems like he is not approachable but I wish I had a father that was as mild tempered as Frank. Frank's wife was the mediator in the family and through her Frank got the news of what was happening in his kid's life's, be it the news he wanted to hear. So this man was never faced with his true responsibility as a father and only really came to terms with that eight months after his wife died.
Frank aims one last time to get the family together, which ultimately leads him on this road trip of discovering his real role as the father to his children. Robert de Niro is not his usual intimidating, kick ass character, which gives the story a refreshing touch while the other cast members are remarkable in their portrayal of each of the kids.
This film gets a well adapted 7.5 out of 10. Don't take my word for it though. Go and see the film film for yourself and leave your own comments.
Like “The Visitor” this film moved me... For me, it started very slow, since I am an adventurer at heart, but the film suddenly moved up a few passes as the plot progressed. I did not see the original film, “Stanno tutti bene” by Guiseppe Tornatore, but based on my sources both are equally suited for its time.
The film is about a father of four, Frank Goode (Robert de Niro), who eagerly awaits the arrival of his children to a family get together at his house. The kids cancel at the last minute which spurs our main character on to go and visit them. He does not inform them of his new founded adventure to their surprise which they are faced with, with their father's out of the blue visit.
So what did move me about this film? My father. Yes, the man was as emotionally detached as Frank although he did not give much attention to gardening. Frank catches on to the 21st century re-invention of everyday jobs with provocative titles, like housewives are now known as home executives. So, he teaches his son David that he is not a painter but an artist. Each child, David, Rosie (Drew Barrymore), Amy (Kate Beckensale) and Robert (Sam Rockwell) tries to reach their father's expectations of them but only Amy succeeds to get to the pinnacle of what conventional wisdom calls success. With it she pays the price of failed a marriage and so each of them also pays individual prices for their life choices. Fathers have the tendency to bring the worst or best out in each of us. There are two types of fathers out there: first their are those that try and do good, they are not always approachable, but then do we even try from our side. Then there are those who don't know how and no matter how much you try they will always be a closed book.
I see Frank as stubborn and it seems like he is not approachable but I wish I had a father that was as mild tempered as Frank. Frank's wife was the mediator in the family and through her Frank got the news of what was happening in his kid's life's, be it the news he wanted to hear. So this man was never faced with his true responsibility as a father and only really came to terms with that eight months after his wife died.
Frank aims one last time to get the family together, which ultimately leads him on this road trip of discovering his real role as the father to his children. Robert de Niro is not his usual intimidating, kick ass character, which gives the story a refreshing touch while the other cast members are remarkable in their portrayal of each of the kids.
This film gets a well adapted 7.5 out of 10. Don't take my word for it though. Go and see the film film for yourself and leave your own comments.
