Good film, memorable scenes, a bit inaccurate but accessible, so much the better

Rating: 8/10 (14 April 2014)

Many people say it runs overtime and plays like a sitcom; why cant people just let generes of film cross into each other, why do things have to have a certain recipe, just leave it the way it is. Its enjoyable because we see an unlikely relationship grow, and having watched many movies, I can always predict that two unlikely characters are put side by side and eventually will fall for each other. In this movie, I didn't clearly anticipate this as Helen shows a natural resentfulness to Jacks crude criticism of weakness and self pity and women in general and his inability to let one good word escape his tongue. I didn't see how this heartfelt waitress, who is "desperately needing for a compliment" could wind up with a word vommiter or even worse a conscious writer with calculated and misanthropic comments on humanity such as Jack. But we see Jack as capable of intense honesty, that I even wanted to reach into the screen and lock a hug with him. "And that no one else knows that they're around the greatest woman alive........well that makes me feel good......about myself". Their relationship I did not fully anticipate, for that I applaud the movie.
Another issue is the movies portrayal of obsessive compulsive disorder, a disorder millions of people struggle with. Although he does not have chronic ocd, and the movie cleverly makes us watch what we don't come to cinemas for, and that is dealing with people neurotical and compulsive patterns behind locked doors. But through Jack it comes off sort of comedic, accessible, and incoporates well into the storyline as a person who cannot step out of his rigid brain locked mindset and cannot be openly compassionate. This is not true though of ocd sufferers, they are highly conscientious people, too often overly so and are too often just the opposite, worried about saying something "mean" or letting a bad word escape them which they dwell on for day if they have. Not all, but a common symptom. And frankly, with millions of ocd sufferers in our country did you ever once see skipping pavements and walking as clownishly as Jack does. You don't see that because people with ocd try to hide their own illnesses. But OK, if that makes people more conscious of the illness.
Overall, great script, I really enjoyed it "and you people are supposed to be sensitive (talking to his gay friend), I'm drowning here and your describing the water". Helen though not attractive is beautiful in this movie, you clearly see her through the directors eye, jack's eye, and simon who paints her bare back as she is taking a bath. Her performance is endearing and enduring, she is all too real and juxtaposes with Jacks annoying character well. The movie has a lot of memorable scenes. And inadvertently makes us wonder and read more about issues we normally overlook like the healthcare system, homosexuality, and anxiety disorders and the finding of compassion where you will least likely be expecting it; by a man who hires and pays for a doctor to care for your ailing son so you can come back to work to serve him eggs and bacon.