Should have passed on this one!

Rating: Null/10 (2 December 2004)

I heard a lot about how wonderful this film was supposed to be. Then I made the mistake of watching it. 1) Worst lighting job ever; almost every scene was underlit. Perhaps she was trying to make a point that the characters' lives were dark, but puhleeze, it's no fun when you have to keep peering intently at the screen just to have a hint as to what's going on! 2) Acting was mediocre AT BEST. Bill Murray for an Oscar? You're kidding, right? All he did was assume an attitude of tired disappointment. It was a one-note performance that showed little depth and didn't come near his work in, say, Groundhog Day. 3) The female lead was singularly uninvolved and uninteresting. 4) This movie had nothing to say; it had no discernible pace OR tone. 5) Sophia Coppola may have talent, but it's not on display here. 6) There were a couple of chuckles to be had -- that's it! 7) This is probably the most overrated movie of the last couple of years.