I rate this movie with an 8 despite some critical flaws. It is quite well directed, shot in bright colors, and pervaded by the languid, hot and humid atmosphere of the tropics. I have never been to the New Orleans portrayed here (and regretfully, never will) but it feels as I had imagined it. The story is basically a character study with a plot that is entirely predictable. Although psychologically sound on paper, it just doesn't seem to work for me, mainly because Macht and Travolta are entirely miscast.
Travolta looks ridiculous with his artificial gray hair. He lacks all the manners and movement characteristic of alcoholics, and is almost comic in his sorry attempts. He is also completely unbelievable as the disgraced professor of English literature. Gabriel Macht plays the protégé who by some contrived twist is responsible for his professor's fall and has to write the latter's biography in order to redeem himself and absolve his mentor. But Macht is just too nice a guy to play this guilt-driven alcoholic writer, as he lacks the bitterness and edge the part requires. Some of the acting, especially by Dane Rhodes (as Cecil) is downright ridiculous. The only bright spot, and it is very bright, is Scarlett Johannson who by here subtle acting almost singlehandedly saves this movie.
Apart from Johannson and the general atmosphere of this movie, some dialogs are quite good and the soundtrack is great and unbelievably, these factors compensate some very crucial mistakes.
Travolta looks ridiculous with his artificial gray hair. He lacks all the manners and movement characteristic of alcoholics, and is almost comic in his sorry attempts. He is also completely unbelievable as the disgraced professor of English literature. Gabriel Macht plays the protégé who by some contrived twist is responsible for his professor's fall and has to write the latter's biography in order to redeem himself and absolve his mentor. But Macht is just too nice a guy to play this guilt-driven alcoholic writer, as he lacks the bitterness and edge the part requires. Some of the acting, especially by Dane Rhodes (as Cecil) is downright ridiculous. The only bright spot, and it is very bright, is Scarlett Johannson who by here subtle acting almost singlehandedly saves this movie.
Apart from Johannson and the general atmosphere of this movie, some dialogs are quite good and the soundtrack is great and unbelievably, these factors compensate some very crucial mistakes.
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