Directed by Noah Baumbach
Starring Adam Sandler, Ben Stiller, Dustin Hoffman, Emma Thompson, and Elizabeth Marvel
Looking for something to see on Netflix I stumbled upon this film that I had no idea existed. But it had a good cast so I put it on my list. I had no idea what it was about but sometimes that is a good thing if the film works.
The film tells the story of three kids and how they relate to their father. The first story is about Danny and how he goes back to live with his dad after getting a divorce. The second story focuses on Mathew and how he comes after not seeing his father for a while and the last focuses on Jean. Even though it is divided into three stories they are not indifferent times and they all relate to a present event.
I have said before that I am a fan of drama films where little happens, films that are more character-driven than having plot twists and such. This one is one of those films because it has no big dramatic scene, even when the dad goes to the hospital it felt casual and not big in terms of a scene in the movie not for the characters. I was disappointed with the film. It had a lot of good things in the movie and it was a honest look at family and how they relate but I just can’t say that I loved it.
Adam Sandler proves here again that he is capable of non-comedic roles. Ben Stiller is also good in the film. Dustin Hoffman steals the show as this father is obsessed with his art and sometimes seems to be out of the place and not listen to his kids. Emma Thompson is also good as the stepmother, a little crazy character. Adam Driver has a brief moment in the film, that was good.
In terms of the performances it was good, I enjoyed the acting, Sandler, Stiller and Hoffman shine in the film as well and Thompson. But even though it is not a bad film, I expected a bit more from the film.
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