Almost a Perfect Movie

Rating: 9/10 (24 October 2007)

I just saw this again last week for the first time since I saw it when it came out. What a great film. Great cast, great writing, great direction, great character arcs.
It speaks to a lot of universal themes that we all experience, even if we aren't going to drop out, smoke a lot of pot and buy a fast car.
The people in Lester's life have stopped appreciating him and that distance leaves him depressed. His wife is cold, sterile and interested only in money. His teenage daughter is, well a teenager, and she's off to start her own life without her lame family.
His infatuation with the hot young thing seems pretty cliché until you realize that it's just that that is waking up and making him finally live for maybe the first time in years.
Throw in the mad genius philosopher-pot dealer next door and his spiritual awakening begins.
I won't give away the ending, but it reminds us that we should all be grateful for what we have in this world.