M. R.

I enjoyed the scenery of course...and the pride of the different regions always was great to see - BUT, Tucci's political views pop up more than once, particularly around illegal immigration in Italy (he is for it btw). He has no expertise in Italian politics or the history of the struggles involved; perhaps even more annoying is him pretending to know the Italian language (he doesn't and shows are edited to make it seem like he does). If I heard him say "si, si" one more I was going to explode!

The movie itself isn't horrible...it's the fact that Hollywood continues to SIGNIFICANTLY change pertinent real-life events of a story and then everyone believes it is true. Sonny Vaccaro (I've met, Matt Damon looks nothing like him) NEVER visited Jordan's mom in NC to get his foot-in-the-door which is a huge scene and story driver through-out the movie; also, Sonny met Jordan at a restaurant with a coach that was friendly with Jordan WAY BEFORE the pay-off scene at the end where Jordan and his parents meet everyone at Nike in Portland (a theme through-out movie is that Jordan's mom wouldn't let Sonny meet/speak to Jordan until a deal was signed) . These are major, major changes that leave this movie as fiction, not reality. The only thing one can walk away with as truth is that Michael Jordan signed with Nike as an NBA rookie and the partnership became huge...there's probably not much else in the movie you can believe.

This is a poignant (but not sappy) story of two high school teens [from opposite sides of the spectrum] on their way to adulthood who help each other reach a better place. Shailene Woodley plays her part so beautifully that one may forget this is a movie and she's acting (or is she??). It's a pleasant way to spend 1 1/2 hrs as long as one doesn't over-analyze and takes the movie for what it is: a simple tale of love and redemption....with such a sweet performance by Shailene that it will make you wish you paid more attention to girls like her in your high school days.

Two quick takeaways: 1. If you like Kristen Stewart she is tremendous in this movie 2. If you are a fan of the real Diana, this movie is not a biopic and Kristen's performance (and fictional screenplay) are not meant to be factual...or project deference to the real Diana . Other reviews will get into details about plot specifics, but the general theme is of a woman who seemingly has the world "by the balls" [to outsiders and press], but in reality feels trapped, is barely hanging on and feels there are limited options to escape her despair (perhaps in line with Ms. Stewart's past real life experiences?). It is hard not to be taken in by Kristen's portrayal (screw those royal watchers who criticize her accent or movements, they don't get it)...and it is her eyes that will mesmerize you, telling their own story while drawing you in further. The other actors do a fine job, but this is Kristen's movie...and she takes the final act to a satisfying conclusion, even though you'll wish you could spend more time with her. ****

You'll regret wasting 2hrs of your life....don't do it!