User reviews

Aaron Eckhart, suave and manicured, is surprisingly effective in role as middle-aged sad sack Bill, a disgruntled, directionless human resources executive at his father-in-law's bank who's stuck in a loveless marriage to cheating spouse Elizabeth Banks. The tone of this character portrait is half black comedy and half satire, but Eckhart almost makes the lumpy journey worthwhile (he's an extremely courageous and focused actor, flexible but not a ham). Jessica Alba is fun as a friendly neighborhood salesgirl, but a subplot involving a mouthy teenage boy who chooses Bill to be his "mentor" is excruciating (a duck-hunting sequence with Bill's wife's family is also flabby). Screenwriter Melisa Wallack, who also co-directed with Bernie Goldmann, is careful to let Bill be his own person, but their ultimately victorious "I don't know where I'm going but I'm happy to be here" theme doesn't wash in the end. ** from ****

Roku has this as released in 2008, but imdb thinks its 2007. Aaron eckhart is bill, who seems to have it made, but he's pretty sure his wife is cheating on him. When bill records it for evidence, it's put out on the internet. But not by bill or his wife. It could be the work of the kid bill is mentoring. The story kind of goes all over the place, but the idea is how to get back at his wife. Suddenly, he seems to want his wife back instead. And why are we spending so much time dealing with the mentored kid? Odd..kind of a distraction. There's a small role for kristen wiig. After a while, this film just spirals... it gets more and more weird. And a little creepy that bill spends so much time hanging out with the kid. Who doesn't have a name. Story by melisa wallack. She was nominated for dallas buyer's club. Watch that one instead.

Bill (Aaron Eckhart) is tired of his life with his wife Jess (Elizabeth Banks) and working in her daddy's bank. He dreams of running his own donut franchise and getting away from his dominating father-in-law. Bill is cajoled into mentoring smartalec kid (Logan Lerman) from the prep school. Jess is having an affair with TV reporter Chip Johnson (Timothy Olyphant). Bill is devouring chocolate bars to cope. His brother was a high school hero and he owns a successful sporting goods store. The kid flirts with lingerie shop clerk Lucy (Jessica Alba) constantly. Bill sets up hidden cameras and catches Jess cheating with Chip. It throws him for a loop and he punches out Chip.

Aaron Eckhart is playing the emasculated male like Kevin Spacey in 'American Beauty'. Only this one doesn't take the chance to go darker. Aaron Eckhart is perfectly set up to go very dark, but this is going strictly for light quirky. Only it's not anything funny. There is some quirk but I didn't laugh at all. And it's annoying to not give the name of The Kid. The biggest deficit is the directions from Bernie Goldmann and Melisa Wallack. Neither one of them has the experience nor the touch. If this was left in more daring hands, there may be something original in this. Also there is the writing which doesn't have any great jokes either.

The movie has initially a very good premise with lots of potential. The movie could become an entertaining comedy with a good story. Unfortunately, I find the execution disappointing.

First of all, Bill's situation doesn't seem realistic in some ways. I know that the point of the story was to be unique, but the movie doesn't feel right at some points.

A thing to mention while speaking of realism is a cast problem. Even though Logan Lerman is a good actor who has his 'charm' and original screen presence, I don't think he was a good pick for the role of The Kid. Don't get me wrong, I think the cast is very good. Honestly, Jessica Alba was one of the aspects I enjoyed during the movie.

I also need to admit that I didn't really find the movie's humor funny. The movie unfunny, and at some points boring. I'm not saying that the movie IS DEFINITELY unfunny, as I feel like it just wasn't my type of humor.

The world knows they are lost but they don't know the answer. Here we see various characters portrayed, all with their own agenda, all seeking their own way, their own profit, their own pleasure, but none are truly happy. This is in my opinion a very accurate portrayal of the world. The main character seems to realize something is wrong but unfortunately his answer is to throw caution to the wind and engage in sinful behavior that if practiced in real live would result in disaster but since this is Hollywood that is presented as the answer. The real answer is to lay down your life in service of others. But of course we will never see a movie about that!

This is a cute little movie. Aaron Eckhart is wonderful as the main character, being the regular guy that he so well plays. It makes you laugh, chuckle and feel.

I have to say though that I am not sure why Jessica Alba was casted in this role. She adds nothing, I believe that a Zooey Dechanel or a comedienne with more depth would have made you engage more in the relationship between her and Logan. Jessica Alba is a sure way to get the guys to rent this movie, but it's also a sure bet to ruin it.

All over a movie well worth watching, although I have to look away when Jessica Alba enters the dialog. Sorry.