Writer: Kieran Mulroney, Michele Mulroney (Screenplay)
Starring: Lisa Kudrow, Jeff Daniels, Ryan Reynolds, Emma Stone, Kieran Culkin, Hunter Parrish
Plot: A washed-up writer forms an unlikely friendship with a teenager from Long Island.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Touching Drama
Story: We start by following our married couple taking a trip to a country house while our lead gets a visit from his invisible friend (a superhero) warning him about the place. The idea of the trip is to try and help our lead Richard focus on writing without any distraction. While making a visit to town he makes a new friend in a teenage student. The two find out they have more in common than they thought and the unlikely duo become secret friends helping each other with their problems, hiding their relationship from their friends and family.
This is a solid look at friendships and how hard it can be to make friends of a different age, while people face the same battles they feel uncomfortable expressing their friendships too their friends. It comes off very well showing how loneliness can be one of the hardest things to go through in life. Though this is only looking at real life issues we get a very interesting look at how awkward the first few moments of a friendship can be. We do see how both Abby and Richard get over the problems that have been holding them back from the next part of their lives. It comes off very well and though not much happens it is all about how the two bound and achieve growth in their personal lives. (8/10)
Actor Review
Jeff Daniels: Richard Dunn struggling writer who deals with his imaginary friend who he has created as a superhero to protect him from the problems in his life. He moves away from the city to escape him but is left in a small town without knowing anyone, he befriends a local girl in what starts out a weird friendship but soon they figure out they have more in common than they thought. Jeff gives a great performance as the lost middle aged man looking for the next chapter of his life. (8/10)
Ryan Reynolds: Captain Excellent the imaginary friend who keeps giving Richard advice. He helps solve the problems Richard isn’t brave enough to work out himself. Ryan gives a fun performance where he gets to mock the superhero idea whilst having comical lines. (7/10)
Lisa Kudrow: Claire Dunn Richard’s wife who moves him to the country to help him concentrate while returning to her job in the city. Lisa gives a solid performance of the suffering wife who is trying her hardest to support her husband. (7/10)
Emma Stone: Abby local teenager who has her own problems with her boyfriend and friend who is in love with her. She is struggling to deal with a loss in her life that she believes she caused but her relationship with Richard helps her deal with it. Emma gives a good performance showing that she was always going to be a big name actress. (8/10)
Kieran Culkin: Christopher friend of Abby who is madly in love with her. He is always around when she needs him but it becomes clear that he is the same as Captain Excellent. Kieran gives a good performance as the supporting friend who knows the right things to say. (7/10)
Support Cast: Be it the boyfriend of Abby or his friends we don’t get a large support cast we just see how the people involved are just using them.
Director Review: Kieran Mulroney, Michele Mulroney – Good direction to create a very real drama focusing on people’s problems. (8/10)
Comedy: It doesn’t focus on being a full blown comedy but has a couple of well-timed chuckles to lighten the mood. (6/10)
Drama: Seeing the problems the two have are shown and dealt with brilliantly. (9/10)
Chemistry: The uncomfortable friendship comes off very well between the two and they become more comfortable as they get to know each other. (9/10)
Music: Touching music used throughout the film. (8/10)
Settings: The settings used show the loneliness that both the characters are suffering with. (9/10)
Suggestion: I think this would be one to try, it will come off very rewarding for the people who do watch it, but in the end might not appeal to the casual fans too much. (Try It)
Best Part: Captain Excellent meets Christopher.
Worst Part: Can come off slow.
Lessons Learned: Friends are not always the same age or generation.
Believability: These are real world problems people will face and the imaginary friends will show how our minds can play tricks. (7/10)
Chances of Tears: No (0/10)
Chances of Sequel: No
Post Credits Scene: A quick final goodbye between Richard and Captain Excellent.
Oscar Chances: No
Runtime: 1 Hour 50 Minutes
Tagline: A little imagination goes a long way
Overall: Strong Drama About Friendship
Rating