Reviews

Marlo Thomas once said about "That Girl" that the most important thing on this show is my hair. I believe Patricia Arquette has based her career on that maxim. I've never seen another actress worry about her bangs as much. What's under them, devil horns, birthmark, her script? It has to be some kind of hypnotic device that wins her awards. She never moves her head, her mouth always agape. She can't even fake sleep. Seriously, she can't even lay in bed with her eyes closed believably.

The other actors aren't anything to praise either. Her man yells his lines for some reason (he probably wants off the show). Patricia is never good in anything and this show proves it every week.

What I hate about this show is how poorly the leads are written. These women have no self-respect or dignity. The entire plot is them throwing themselves at guys. Amanda Bynes' talent is completely wasted. She was brilliant on "All That" and her own show. Why they would write her and Jenny Garth as vapid, airhead, desperate, men chasing, "old-maid" wannabes is beyond me.

Their plots and dialog remind me of "The Simpons", Homer says whenever his cartoon character Poochie is not on screen, "Everyone should ask, where's Poochie?". All the talk centers on whining about some guy, and then whining to some guy. Sometimes they change it up and the guy whines instead. Then they get back together or break up at the end. The 2 women are either shallow, stupid, or sex addicts. The only word I can think of is "sucks".

I bought this DVD for a few bucks and am glad I didn't pay more. Busy Philipps should never be allowed in a film again. She is one of the most annoying, over-acting, no-talents ever. Even with Dominique Swain, Thora Birch, and Keri Lynn Pratt they are still not enough to save this movie. Birch basically has a glorified cameo, done up in "Whale Rider"/rave makeup. Swain is the reason I bought the film, she's always good, but gets plowed under by Philipps. Pratt is adorable but her character is uneven. The script is all over the place and the characters are such stoners, it is a hard movie to watch. One of the worst I've seen in a long time.

The girls are cute, just turn off the sound. Kate Bosworth deserved better than this script. Mika Boorem is adorable and a good actress. Sanoe Lake is one of the most annoying people to ever appear in film. She tries mightily to take over the movie. Loud, obnoxious, and tries to act black. Michelle Rodriguez once again plays the tough girl. Surf culture has apparently been washed away by hip-hop "culture." Just like everything else. Dominated by trash talking burnouts, baby mamas and tattooed hoochies. People with something to prove, even if the viewer couldn't care less. Bosworth's character could have just as easily been a street racer, "You Got Served" dancer, boxer or Pokemon master ("Gotta catch 'em all!) Um, if you say so. The fab future of becoming a pro-surfer apparently means women turn butch. Sorry but Kate's too pretty and feminine, unlike Michelle and Sanoe (nice bodies, hard faces). The picture is shot beautifully, but hampered by repetitive flashbacks to Bosworth's wipe out.

Some reviews and some critics seemed to be watching a different movie. Unable to get past Karl's mannerisms, dress, and voice. Karl, being the simple character he is, is still very complex. Repeat watching uncovers the subtle workings of this character. Watch how he is easily influenced by things happening to him. (He finds he likes fries. So he eats them every meal). All the supporting cast reflect different dramatic aspects of Karl, and his morality. Karl may be a psychopath, or is he? Is he even mentally retarded? Study him closely, ask yourself questions about his motive. That is but one of the goals of this great film. Its not all spelled out for the viewer. On the surface it looks like he solves his problems violently. But he is a tool, a lifesaving tool, for a troubled family. Karl has saved Frank from a life of continued misery. A life that he knows too well. He knows what he has to do, and he does it. Frank's mother couldn't. The most telling scene is when Frank and Karl are in the garage talking about potted meat. He cracks a joke, and makes Frank laugh. There's more to Karl than meets the eye.