Formula Film

Rating: 2/10 (3 January 2008)

This movie was generated by a computer program.
If you would like to make a movie like this yourself, the following inputs are required... 1) Style - quirky, indie - "a la mode 2006". 2) Sincerity - zero. 3) Intellectual level - low. 4) Subject - Click the boxes for "Quirky dysfunctional family" and "Child exploitation" with the clarity level set at "Confused".
Don't forget to click on "Dirty gran'pa".
Seriously, has there ever been a more contrived movie? Indie films are now more formulaic than Hollywood blockbusters. The most severe indictment on this movie are the directors' comments (one of the DVD features). Listen to these two rank amateurs, devoid of any overall vision, describe how they try to hook the audience in, scene by scene. Its a fascinating study in all that is going wrong in independent movie-making.
The film touches upon a whole range of interesting issues but lacks any coherence. It is heavy-handed. It throws up some sentimental notions of "family" and "not quitting" that could cause you to throw up.
A profoundly insincere film.