Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Topher Grace, Connie Britton, John Leguizamo, Walton Goggins, Tony Hale, Bill Pullman
Directed By: Nima Nourizadeh
I remember when this film came out in theatres, and it bombed, that the writer of the film took to twitter to blame the moviegoing public for his films failure. No, sir, your film failed because it wasn’t very good. I had a feeling, from the trailers, and having finally seen the film, I can tell you it failed because it just is not a good film.
It doesn’t really work as a “stoner comedy”, because the main character makes a conscious decision to be not high for most of the film as his life is in danger. Yes, he’s a pothead, but he doesn’t smoke weed nearly enough for this to qualify as a “stoner film”. Also, character development is severely lacking here. The film is so short that any character who isn’t played by Jesse Eisenberg is underdeveloped. It’s almost criminal how underutilized John Leguizamo is. He’s freaking John Leguizamo. It seemed like the script wrote itself as the film progressed. It didn’t feel thought out, or mapped out at all.
Yes, I ended up liking Kristen Stewart a bit more after this. I also enjoyed Topher Grace as a giant asshole. But Eisenberg has been in better films, and I know he’ll just post some op-ed about how critics are useless, but you’re better than this. Actually, everyone is better than this.
I actually enjoyed 30 Minutes Or Less more than this.
Next time, focus more on developing characters so we can give a shit about them. And storyboard your movie. Also, next time you complain on twitter, your next film should kick major ass. Not debut in 12th place in over 2700 theatres despite having freaking Harry Potter as your lead. How about instead of blaming the moviegoing public for not liking your film, you just make better films? Stop being such a Uwe Boll.
FINAL GRADE: C-
