This is a movie which carries largely upon the viewer's connection to the main character (played by Sally Hawkins), a giddy young woman who lacks much else in redeeming qualities to bond the viewer to the character other than lame giddiness. Even her attempted portrayal of a giddy woman falls flat with me as a bit lifeless in reality.
I love great Brit humor (Python, Absolutely Fabulous) but there is little more here than the leading character being giddy, giddy and more giddy. I suppose that some viewers will find that funny. I simply find it to be shallow in plot and lacking depth of character, direction and plot. Giddiness in itself is not enough in the way of comedy or humor to make me laugh. Maybe a few lame but pitying smiles were emitted by me.
Even during the attempts at more serious moments, the primary character seems rather flat and lifeless, more an observer of the moment rather than a leading presence. Sally Hawkins seems unable to convey or interject anything in the way of true compassion, concern or emotions in her role.
Her encounter with a homeless man seems flat. And the actor's portrayal of a homeless man is very unrealistic, lacking sensitivity or awareness of the usual despair and frequent mental health issues of a homeless man. The actor's failure further causes the movie to fall flat.
Eddie Marsan as the actor playing the driving instructor is annoying. Eddie Marsan in any comedy role fails for me, his portrayal seems always to be of an angry, annoying and non-funny persona despite his attempts at quirkyness. He falls far short of the depth shown by stellar actors such as Joe Pesci or Bob Hoskins playing similar roles.
For viewers hoping for some sort of definition of character and depth of plot and acting, they'll be rather disappointed-- as I've been. I kept having to check the movie status on my player to see how much longer I had to endure. Surely, I thought, it will redeem itself. But I could have had far more enjoyment watching the Life of Iguanas on television's Animal Planet, unfortunately.
I love great Brit humor (Python, Absolutely Fabulous) but there is little more here than the leading character being giddy, giddy and more giddy. I suppose that some viewers will find that funny. I simply find it to be shallow in plot and lacking depth of character, direction and plot. Giddiness in itself is not enough in the way of comedy or humor to make me laugh. Maybe a few lame but pitying smiles were emitted by me.
Even during the attempts at more serious moments, the primary character seems rather flat and lifeless, more an observer of the moment rather than a leading presence. Sally Hawkins seems unable to convey or interject anything in the way of true compassion, concern or emotions in her role.
Her encounter with a homeless man seems flat. And the actor's portrayal of a homeless man is very unrealistic, lacking sensitivity or awareness of the usual despair and frequent mental health issues of a homeless man. The actor's failure further causes the movie to fall flat.
Eddie Marsan as the actor playing the driving instructor is annoying. Eddie Marsan in any comedy role fails for me, his portrayal seems always to be of an angry, annoying and non-funny persona despite his attempts at quirkyness. He falls far short of the depth shown by stellar actors such as Joe Pesci or Bob Hoskins playing similar roles.
For viewers hoping for some sort of definition of character and depth of plot and acting, they'll be rather disappointed-- as I've been. I kept having to check the movie status on my player to see how much longer I had to endure. Surely, I thought, it will redeem itself. But I could have had far more enjoyment watching the Life of Iguanas on television's Animal Planet, unfortunately.