Has potential, but far from realized

Rating: 5/10 (31 August 2018)

I feel like this COULD have been a pretty decent and enjoyable movie, but it just doesn't quite rise to its potential. Part of the problem (well, the main problem) is that Ben Stiller just isn't right for the part. Had someone else played the titular character, it could have been a really cute, quirky movie. I'm guessing he was cast only because he was also directing. Ben Stiller is just not likeable, and never made me root for the main character. I have to admit that I added a couple stars to my rating for two reasons:
1) Paul Fitzgerald. He's a very talented, yet underrated actor, and would actually have been a much better choice for the main protagonist. He has the innate charm and likeability that would make you care about Walter.
2) Adam Scott. He did a great job of digging in and showing range. He usually plays a kind of quiet, dorky, shy but likeable guy (e.g. Parks & Rec). This is the first role I've seen him in where he was so smarmy and... "prick-ish" (for lack of a better term) that I just wanted to smack him, and was actually rooting against him.
Shirley McClaine, of course, did a decent (if subtle) job, but everyone else was just kind of there. Kristin Wiig (whom I think is very talented) wasn't remarkable (good or bad), but that could be the script's fault.
It's not necessarily a bad movie, it just doesn't seem to want you to care about any of the main characters. One good thing I can say about the film is that Ben Stiller didn't do his usual ranting, rambling improv schtick, trying way too hard to be funny (and not succeeding).
Bottom line, if you're a big fan of any of the actors, it's a fine film to have on in the background if you're doing chores on a rainy day, but I wouldn't go out of your way to see it.