Amy Casey

Way too long, plodding, and fairly heavy handed with the life morality lessons, albeit important. All told, this is a B Movie, but with an A list star in the lead. Not great, could go straight to VHS as they used to say, but effective in parts. It certainly didn’t appear from the trailer is that this is a depressing movie about continual suicide attempts, which was extremely disturbing. I thought it was about a really grumpy guy turned sweet. Nope. He really never turns sweet so get over that good feeling now. Thank goodness for the lead female, Hispanic actress. I don’t know her name, but she was superb. Gave the movie a lift it needed, but still, depending how much movie tickets are where you live… Wait to rent it for free. This was obviously a Hanks family endeavor bc a young Hanks family member plays Tom Hanks when he’s young and Tom Hank’s wife, Rita Wilson, produces it. I got pretty frustrated with how long it was and how many suicide attempts there were. Mainly, it just didn’t seem like it could decide between whether it wanted to be a comedy or a drama. It didn’t do either very well. I mean, it had the audience laughing at failed suicide attempts— which I didn’t think was funny at all. Not because suicide is serious, though it is, but if you want to buy into Tom Hanks’ character, then you shouldn’t think it’s funny that he wants to die. There are moments when your heart really aches for him, so why laugh when he tries his fifth attempt at suicide? He tries to hang himself, poison himself with the exhaust from his car, shoot himself with a shotgun, etc. Ultimately the movie tries to straddle two horses at once, never getting either to ride straight. Sorry, folks. I just love Tom Hanks, which is exactly why I saw this movie, but this was kind of lame. I think maybe Rita loved it and convinced him to make it during pillow talk. Maybe it was the directing?? Editing?? Had to be. Because Tom Hanks can do anything. Again, sorry, but this kind of bit.

This was one of the funniest movies I have ever seen in my life. I had to pause sometimes just to laugh for like five straight minutes. Naturally, some of it was a bit depressing or sad, but there were some scenes that were so riotously funny— mainly from the way it was cut/edited —that my stomach hurt from laughing. Very well done! I so hope each of these people is alive and kicking and have found their joy. They definitely brought me joy. Thank you for this little gem. I would love to see another, just like it… Maybe even a follow up of some of the characters. And for those of you who think it casts the village just as negative… I had never heard of it before… And I can’t wait to move there someday when I’m old! It looks amazing!