I really wanted to give the movie...

Rating: 6/10 (2 January 2007)

more than a six out of ten, but I don't feel like it would have done justice to intelligent movies. This is no "Adaptation". The dramatizations of the writing process are good, however, this movie takes a great idea and great possibilities and turns it inevitably into a standard Hollywood film that is funny yes, and undeniably creative. Unfortunately, it's also mindless and straightforward The following may contain spoilers.
There were great possibilities in this movie and I had high hopes for it. In the end however, there is not a great deal of reflection on the main character. He is turned into a robot that slowly comes out of his shell. Typical, standard story. However, they even botch this up by making him into an impossible creation, dealing with his life with mockery and disrespect.
What I mean to say is, I couldn't suspend my disbelief. I don't believe a character like that really exists nor do I think that anyone would write about someone like that. He isn't the everydayman. He is the butt of jokes. He lives in a sterile world and there is no explanation. Somehow it's all rosy and comical. How can a man who hasn't been traumatized so contentedly remove himself from the world? How can he be so desireless for so long and then suddenly change? Granted, the movie portrays it as his fear of death. However, things work out so seamlessly without great difficulty.
A woman falling in love with her tax auditor? On top of which, a literary, educated woman who has tattoos and is a baker? That's the potentially interesting character and there is no development.
The romantic element is contrived and unbelievable. I didn't sense any passion there at all.
The movie is funny, and perhaps worth watching as it goes rather quick. I wouldn't go to the theatre to see it though.
In summation, the movie isn't bad. It is just disappointing - how someone can come up with such a fantastic idea and fall so short on everything else. The writing in this fake novel is average to poor. The characters don't work. The acting is bland and uninspiring. I felt anyways.
If you want something literary, go somewhere else. If you want a light hearted comedy that has a great theme although a mediocre execution, this would hit the spot.