Sensitively done, with a certain charm and care

Rating: Null/10 (30 August 2015)

There's something truly unique about this film. I hadn't seen looked at the reviews and at all of the praise heaped upon the film, so I just assumed it would be this formulaic average Hollywood feature. It's certainly not art-house, but it's certainly something different. There's a certain sense of melancholy and real sadness that permeates the entire film. On the surface it's very optimistic and it certainly starts off that way, but it's trying to reflect on themes that are more complex than what I would have originally guessed. I'm not a huge fan of Paul Dano, but he's just perfect here, and this is John Cusack's best role in quite some time. Elizabeth Banks also radiates such warmth and grace, and she's the emotional anchor in more ways than one.
Definitely surprising, a sensitive, gentle, offbeat and humorous, but effectively powerful film that will grab you in more ways than one.