One of a very few moving comedies that depicts the problems and delights seen in society today.

Rating: 7/10 (27 June 2007)

This film certainly brought out each of the actors/actresses acting capabilities. It truly emphasises what it is like in the lives of middle class families today and what effect society can have on hard working individuals. I am also very glad that the plot remained realistic and not just another predictable and corny plot.
Abigail Breslin has a promising acting career ahead of her, as unlike most child roles, you actually felt for the character.
Greg Kinnear gave a great portrayal as the unsuccessful father, who lets face it, delivered very motivational lines throughout the film.
Toni Collette did her bit once again as the emotional mother, she played the role well once again, but if I was her I would move on from these types of role as she has so much more to offer.
Paul Dano's acting was truly outstanding, his performance as a 15 year old could not be any more accurate and the scene where he finds out that he is colour blind was one of the best scenes of the film.
Alan Arkin certainly deserved the academy award for his role as the grandfather, as I did not even recognise that he was the same guy from Edward Scissorhands. He really gave the character a dark side as a drug addict, a funny side (when talking about girls to Dawyne) and a caring side. I truly had no expectations that his character would have died so early into the film.
Steve Carrell, in my opinion, deserves the most credit in this film as like many of the greatest comedians he undertook a troubled character. You really feel for him at the start of the film, discovering that he is a depressive who tried to kill himself and if he already has not gone through enough he has ended up having to live with his sisters family in the most embarrassing circumstances. What makes his performance even more astonishing is that you find out that he is a homosexual. This is most probably one of his most serious roles to date, but he still delivers his genius wit throughout (e.g. the sarcasm scene).
What I think made the film is how they show how sick young beauty pageants are how they are just bad taste.
Overall though, a very good film.