There’s no question mark in the title of “Where’d You Go, Bernadette” (2019) and yet it’s asking us all something very important. What’s the difference between eccentric and crazy? The answer is a little too pat – the eccentric must be productively creative to keep from becoming menacingly crazy – and awkwardly told. We’re dealing with a rather serious issue and yet there’s a lot of uncomfortably wacky hijinks pitting protagonist Cate Blanchett against neighborhood ubermom Kristin Wiig. And some of the dialogue is a little over-the-top, even for a crazy person. And there’s an I-can’t-quite-place-it unlikability about Blanchett’s husband, Billy Crudup.
Archives for posts with tag: Richard Linklater
I finally sold my guitar on Craigslist the same day I finally saw “School of Rock” (2003). I don’t know if that’s ironic or just a coincidence. I also don’t know if “School of Rock” is good because of, or in spite of, Jack Black. His spazzy histrionics are a tiring distraction. However, his background as an actual musician provided authenticity in a way that a Chris Farley couldn’t have been able to 10 years earlier or a Zach Galifianakis wouldn’t be able to 10 years later. It’s the starring role Black was born to play. Probably the only one.
Honestly, if you can’t relate to early 1980s culture and/or sports culture and/or college guy culture, you might not get “Everybody Wants Some!!” (2016). But I don’t really give a shit, because I thought it was effing hilarious (I don’t think Richard Linklater gives a shit either, or he wouldn’t have put two – count ’em, two – exclamation points in the title.). All-star freshman baseball recruit arrives in College Town the weekend before classes begin. Hijinks ensue. Meanwhile, wisdom gets handed down so effortlessly, it seems accidental. It takes you to a fascinating place, but perhaps only if you’ve been there before.
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