The Great Buck Howard
Storyline
A young man, much to the chagrin of his father, becomes the new assistant to an illusionist in decline.
Rated PG
1 hour 30 minutes
Starring:
John Malkovich
Colin Hanks
Emily Blunt
Critics Grade:
B
My Grade:
C-
The Great Buck Howard is much like it's title character: special at times, but also a little dull and uninspiring. The movie was pretty much just OK for me. I thought it was a pretty standardized little dramedy that really wasn't all that funny or all that engaging. The movie is about a mentalist who was once a big somebody, but now is outdated and forgotten, even though he fails to see that. He preforms this illusion where an audience member hides his fee somewhere in the auditorium and he also seems to be able to find it and no one knows how. We never find out how, even though it's one of the film's big mysteries. That kind of how the movie is though, slightly unconnected by the end.
I thought it began a little to fast, and to much was happening to quickly, and then by the middle it became kind of slow. There was never any moment that drove the film to some higher level it was all pretty flat. You never really care to much for these characters, even Buck Howard. In fact you kind of grow to dislike the main character. I know he's supposed to be that way, but there were literally almost no redeeming qualities about him where we can find some small love for him. He's a jerk and we never see another side to him. He is played very well by Oscar nominee John Malkovich (In the Line of Fire, Burn After Reading, Being John Malkovich) and it's definitely the most memorable performance of the movie, as it should be. Colin Hanks is pretty good, but also his performance is just as dull as the movie. For being one of the main characters, he didn't do all that good of a job of carrying the movie. It was cool to see his real dad (Oscar winner Tom Hanks) play his dad in the movie in two scenes. It was a bit weird though how their troubled storyline never patched up in the end. Papa Hanks was a jerk as well, and he never really accepted his sons new life, that story just fell flat.
The movie was done rather well, it had some good cinematography and overall was directed decently. There was well done scene where Buck Howard puts 900 people to sleep at once, and for me that was the best scene in the whole film. I don't know, I just can't really see myself honestly recommending this movie to anyone. It's by NO means a bad film, it's pretty decent. The thing is, like I stated, it's just forgettable. There are really no stand out moments in the movie or in the performances. The writing was just average. The whole movie was just...eh.
I thought it began a little to fast, and to much was happening to quickly, and then by the middle it became kind of slow. There was never any moment that drove the film to some higher level it was all pretty flat. You never really care to much for these characters, even Buck Howard. In fact you kind of grow to dislike the main character. I know he's supposed to be that way, but there were literally almost no redeeming qualities about him where we can find some small love for him. He's a jerk and we never see another side to him. He is played very well by Oscar nominee John Malkovich (In the Line of Fire, Burn After Reading, Being John Malkovich) and it's definitely the most memorable performance of the movie, as it should be. Colin Hanks is pretty good, but also his performance is just as dull as the movie. For being one of the main characters, he didn't do all that good of a job of carrying the movie. It was cool to see his real dad (Oscar winner Tom Hanks) play his dad in the movie in two scenes. It was a bit weird though how their troubled storyline never patched up in the end. Papa Hanks was a jerk as well, and he never really accepted his sons new life, that story just fell flat.
The movie was done rather well, it had some good cinematography and overall was directed decently. There was well done scene where Buck Howard puts 900 people to sleep at once, and for me that was the best scene in the whole film. I don't know, I just can't really see myself honestly recommending this movie to anyone. It's by NO means a bad film, it's pretty decent. The thing is, like I stated, it's just forgettable. There are really no stand out moments in the movie or in the performances. The writing was just average. The whole movie was just...eh.
Humm, thanks for letting me know about this movie. I don't have an interest in seeing it, perhaps later when it comes on cable.
ReplyDeleteJulie