Everybody's fine...hmmm really?

This week's movie was the new Robert DeNiro film, "Everybody's fine". It's a film about a recently widowed man who travels across the country trying to reconnect with his adult children. To me it seemed like a middle aged man's road trip across the US, basically because he had nothing better to do.

I have to say that this movie confused me. I really didn't know what to feel by the end of it. It was reasonably lighthearted that dipped into more serious situations but overall my feeling is that this was supposed to be a very easy film to watch and thus enjoy. I didn't love it. I am surprised that I didn't. As the overly emotional woman that I am who cries at Monsters Inc. and Glee episodes this movie didn't do it for me.

Now, that being said, I wasn't expecting a crazy melodrama, but I was expecting more of a story line and better writing. I thought that the movie was pretty cliche and not particularly surprising. The acting was ok. I was expecting better. I mean, it's Robert DeNiro, Kate Beckinsale (absolutely beautiful mind you), Sam Rockwell (very understated and too placid for me in this role) and Drew Barrymore....eh?!$@#! What can I expect....well, I tell you that I expected more. I wanted a juicier story with more twists and turns, ones that I didn't anticipate. I wanted the actors to be challenged and to rise over and above the challenge. Unfortunately, this didn't happen. Nobody was able to save this film.

Now, I don't want you to get the impression that it's a horrible film. It wasn't. I don't want to give you the impression that you shouldn't see it....well maybe you shouldn't...it's more of a renter. One thing I did enjoy about this film, was DeNiro. Not because he was completely incredible and mind blowing, but because it was nice to see him in a paternal role that wasn't a satire, like "Meet the Parents". He was gruff but soft, awkward and charming. It was nice to see him in this role. I felt that he was a decent choice for this film. I don't think the other actors were cast well.

In the end, I'd have to say that this movie missed the boat for me. I was excited to see it, as the trailer looked good and I am a sucker for a family/emotional/lighthearted/make me cry and think of my dad type of a movie. Too bad this wasn't it.