AB mixes genres to ill effect

Rating: 5/10 (21 February 2000)

The main problem I had with this film was that it started out as an almost cartoony satire of American life, but later tried to mix in moments of heartfelt drama. That change in story tone was so jarring as to turn me off altogether...
I've checked, and there seem to be many other people who felt the same way.
However, the acclaim for this film can't be ignored, can it ? It obviously speaks to a certain kind of person - maybe the type of filmgoer who has never seen this type of thing before.
I'm reminded of the hype that surrounded 'Wag The Dog' - which was billed as a stinging political satire. I found it quite tame, and later had to conclude that the film spoke to an audience that wasn't normally attracted to political films.
Maybe AB has just enough social commentary to attract the wide audiences (and therefore appeal) that usually shun this type of film. I don't know...
Anyway, if I didn't have a problem with the genre mixing, I still would have had a problem with the story which was fairly unremarkable.
For a truly 'edgy' American film experience, go see 'Happiness'.