I had high expectations based on the cast, but I'm afraid I find myself disappointed in what I see. 'Let go' is marketed as a comedy-slash-drama, yet it doesn't really make much of an impression at all. This is a movie whose various parts are like two bickering criminals whose disagreement allows their mark to slip away from them.
'Let go' wastes no time, quickly introducing the main characters in the middle of the opening credits. We meet charismatic, comely, conniving Darla (Gillian Jacobs!), and acerbic, irascible Artie (Ed Asner!). There's also desk jockey Dishman (David Denman), in the doldrums; and... Kris, played by Kevin Hart in an uncharacteristically subdued role.
Scarce instances of engaging comedy are outweighed by a more pervasive air of mild amusement. These are both broadly subsumed by a still more extensive mood that's instead pensive, or even sorrowful, and peeks at the criminal justice system that inspire distinct distrust. Except for the weak central link of parole officer Walter Dishman, there's no real sense of unity to the picture. This is more a disparate collection of portraits of ex-cons, and with each different focus the movie carries a slightly different feeling about it. But the core, even so, remains a largely dull, somewhat doleful hodgepodge.
'Let go' is a comedy less in the sense of humor, and more in the sense that it's not an abject tragedy. It would have been more properly labeled exclusively as a plain drama, an examination of these varied characters as they try - to varying degrees - to readjust to life after it's been upended. But writer-director Brian Jett's screenplay languishes in the liminal space between the marginal fun it wants to impart, and the character study it doesn't try very hard to be. It fully commits to neither, can't strike a balance - doesn't hit the substantial, meaningful story beats it could and should - and the result is just rather bland.
The film drifts along a bit aimlessly, with characters given complete backgrounds but little personality. I'm inclined to think those points of radiance the picture does possess have less to do with Jett, and more to do with the assembled cast. Jacobs is a beacon of light no matter the role, even when a feature is unworthy of her (as this is). Hart has greater skill as an actor than his usual cocksure posture portends. Asner carries more gravity and general value in his mere countenance than the entire rest of this flick could possibly aspire to. Supporting characters are mostly just annoying, if not altogether dispensable.
The characters herein do experience growth, but it comes along piecemeal, haphazardly, and unconvincingly. By the time the ending rolls around, the resolution to the constituent story threads isn't rewarding in the sense of being fulfilling - only gratifying, in that a film that has droned on seemingly endlessly has finally reached its conclusion. It turns out that the opening credits were the chief highlight of the movie.
I entered optimistic; I wanted to like this movie - I emphatically do not. It had potential; there were good ideas here - they were mostly wasted. I earnestly hope that there's an audience out there for 'Let go,' and there are viewers who find it impactful and enjoyable. I'm not one of them.
Even if you're a great fan of the cast, I find it difficult to recommend this.
'Let go' wastes no time, quickly introducing the main characters in the middle of the opening credits. We meet charismatic, comely, conniving Darla (Gillian Jacobs!), and acerbic, irascible Artie (Ed Asner!). There's also desk jockey Dishman (David Denman), in the doldrums; and... Kris, played by Kevin Hart in an uncharacteristically subdued role.
Scarce instances of engaging comedy are outweighed by a more pervasive air of mild amusement. These are both broadly subsumed by a still more extensive mood that's instead pensive, or even sorrowful, and peeks at the criminal justice system that inspire distinct distrust. Except for the weak central link of parole officer Walter Dishman, there's no real sense of unity to the picture. This is more a disparate collection of portraits of ex-cons, and with each different focus the movie carries a slightly different feeling about it. But the core, even so, remains a largely dull, somewhat doleful hodgepodge.
'Let go' is a comedy less in the sense of humor, and more in the sense that it's not an abject tragedy. It would have been more properly labeled exclusively as a plain drama, an examination of these varied characters as they try - to varying degrees - to readjust to life after it's been upended. But writer-director Brian Jett's screenplay languishes in the liminal space between the marginal fun it wants to impart, and the character study it doesn't try very hard to be. It fully commits to neither, can't strike a balance - doesn't hit the substantial, meaningful story beats it could and should - and the result is just rather bland.
The film drifts along a bit aimlessly, with characters given complete backgrounds but little personality. I'm inclined to think those points of radiance the picture does possess have less to do with Jett, and more to do with the assembled cast. Jacobs is a beacon of light no matter the role, even when a feature is unworthy of her (as this is). Hart has greater skill as an actor than his usual cocksure posture portends. Asner carries more gravity and general value in his mere countenance than the entire rest of this flick could possibly aspire to. Supporting characters are mostly just annoying, if not altogether dispensable.
The characters herein do experience growth, but it comes along piecemeal, haphazardly, and unconvincingly. By the time the ending rolls around, the resolution to the constituent story threads isn't rewarding in the sense of being fulfilling - only gratifying, in that a film that has droned on seemingly endlessly has finally reached its conclusion. It turns out that the opening credits were the chief highlight of the movie.
I entered optimistic; I wanted to like this movie - I emphatically do not. It had potential; there were good ideas here - they were mostly wasted. I earnestly hope that there's an audience out there for 'Let go,' and there are viewers who find it impactful and enjoyable. I'm not one of them.
Even if you're a great fan of the cast, I find it difficult to recommend this.