Reviews

I was at a screening of this movie in Dallas last night. It's the story of a Pat played by Bradley Cooper who has lost everything, his marriage, house, job and has just been released from an institution where he was sent by the court because of his violent and crazy behavior after finding his wife fooling around in their shower with a coworker. He's now living with his parents and trying to return his life to some normalcy. His dad remains a large influence on his life, is also a reforming-violent character and an oddball played with restraint by Robert DeNiro. Coming in and out of the story is Chris Tucker's character another inmate of the institution whom Pat befriended who has a penchant for escaping. When he shows up he helps Pat get through emotional issues he's facing.

Pat is setup and meets Tiffany played by Jennifer Lawrence who's an oddball too with emotional issues trying to recover from the unexpected death of her husband. Tifffany pursues Pat who still has longing to return to his marriage but can't yet do so until his wife removes the restraining order against him.

At the most base level this is a story of crazy-offbeat-oddball characters who are trying to help Pat return to some sense of normal. Can Pat overcome his issues, respond to their support attempts and return to normalcy? Will he return to his wife? Will Tiffany prevail in her pursuit of Pat? The movie is has its entertaining moments and at times is emotionally rewarding to watch as the Pat, Tiffany and the others are engaging and creative in their approach to life. Lawence's portrayal of Tiffany is over the top and so crazy that as her relationship to Pat unfolds he seems a normal guy trapped in her crazy world but I was left wanting a stronger main character Pat than Cooper portrays.

After one hour of watching oddball people it was enough for me but this movie continues to throw out more crazy for another hour. Its neither crazy funny or enhancing to the story. Enough already.

I just came from a screening of RED which opens Oct 15th. We were told that what we saw is the final cut without some of the special effects completed.

The plot...Willis plays a bored retired CIA agent who amuses himself by calling the federal clerk who handles lost retirement checks (Parker) falsely asking for replacements (he tears them up) while flirting with her on the phone (could this be love?). One day he finds himself under attack at home. After taking care of the attackers he goes on a quest to find out why someone wants him dead.

RED, stamped on Willis' CIA file stands for retired extremely dangerous. The movie is based on the graphic novel of the same name. Loads of big time actors show up while Willis is on the search for the killers. Some of them are other retired CIA agents (Freeman, Malkovich, Mirren). Then there's the federal retirement clerk and love interest to Willis' character (mary Louise Parker who steals the movie) and an old Russian KGB agent (Brian Cox who always does a great acting job). They team together to find out why they and others have been targeted to be killed. Helen Mirren as a hit-woman is a hoot. Malkovich is fun as an oddball ex-agent. Great cameos by Ernest Borgnine and Richard Dreyfuss. I enjoyed watching them all.

I think the movie is meant to be a comedy, but the script could be punchier. I sat for long periods watching an ordinary spy movie plot unfold with few laughs. OK I was wowed by the actors but let down by the script.

Willis is in his element. Freeman is underutilized but works well as part of the team. If you're a fan of these actors you might want to see the movie to watch them play together. They seem to be having fun.