I appear to have recently found some hidden gems on Netflix recently instead of the usual ABC Family/Made for TV tripe that I usually succumb to. Rather than a lengthy review for each, I decided to add these to the mini review series.
Hello I Must Be Going (2012)
Young divorcee Amy has to move back in with her parents and manage her heartbreak and depression, until a younger guy give her hope and passion for the future. I always liked Melanie Lynskey in Two and a half men so I liked the idea of this from the get-go. She was brilliant as expected, highlighting the pitfalls of being divorced and back at home with humour and sharp dialogue. Blythe Tanner is great as the disapproving mother who is at her wits end with her daughter and is determined to make her move on.
Brilliantly witty and a real insight into the 'horrors' of middle aged divorce and having to seek solace in your parents home.
Thanks for Sharing (2012)
Three stories of sex addicts weaved together to produce a movie that highlights the harsh reality of recovery from sex addiction. Adam (Mark Ruffalo) is a 5 years 'sober' and hiding his past from his new girlfriend, his sponsor Mike (Tim Robbins) dealing with the aftermath 15 years from recovery and Neil (Josh Gad) who is in meetings because he has been court ordered to. This has the opportunity to be really clever and approach the subject with a dark humour but instead it all seems to play out a a bit cheesy. The acting is great throughout but I think there were much more that could have been done with this somewhat taboo topic than what was.
Entertaining enough but didn't have the depth that I was hoping for when I read the synopsis.
Smashed (2012)
A couple who's marriage is built on a love of alcohol and music start to crumble when Kate decides she needs to get sober. This is quite a sad film to watch because Kate (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) and Charlie (Aaron Paul) obviously love each other but tend to be a bad influence on each other. Always harder to leave someone for reasons other than falling out of love, and harder to watch. Winstead and Paul both put in great performances as the couple who don't seem to understand each other anymore and find it hard to be around each other in their respective states. I personally would have preferred a more solid ending but these decide for yourself endings seem to be all the rage at the minute!
Heartbreaking to watch but well written and another dent in my attempt to watch all of Aaron Paul's work.