Robert Zemeckis, it’s time to clock out.
This should have been 20 minutes shorter and needed to feel an hour shorter. Much love to the bohemian couple in the 30s/40s who just partied, sexed, and invented the Lazy-boy. Only good part of the movie. Remember when you watch some scenes that Tom Hanks is playing an 18-20yr old and it’s one of the best comedies of the year.
This review may contain spoilers. I can handle the truth.
For whatever reason, I did not expect to like this, but it really won me over. It’s immersive, and you really feel transported back in time. It feels respectful to that era of comedy without leaning into fan service in a bad way. If you told me this movie was directed by the Safdie Bothers, I might have believed you. Where did you go Safdies?
And it really sticks the landing.
A movie that somehow feels both heavy handed and subtle - Men has a lot of memorable moments. Carried by the visuals, score, and two incredible lead performances, Alex Garland's latest movie succeeds in making statements both social and cinematic, but it likely won't be remembered as one of his best.
I'm not sure who got Naomi Watts to take such a bland role in such a bad film. Frank Grillo here does alright, but doesn't have the natural charisma needed to carry the film on his back (especially through all of the exposition we are hammered with throughout). Mel Gibson, despite his personal issues, delivers the most compelling performance in the film, but we never really learn enough about him to make the villain truly interesting. Overall, this film needed…
