close to brilliance, but not quite there

Rating: 8/10 (23 August 2014)

as a fellow daydreamer I like the premise of this film, what I would have liked to have seen was more instances where drifting off tends to have real world implications, rather than it just being applied to social etiquette. the daydream sequences, while being humorously outlandish also served as a motivation for the lead character to act upon his dreams. parts of these I liked, they seem quite inspiring. I have to say, parts of this gave me a good chuckle. stiller often delivers lines or acts in such a way which can elicit this type of response which is frequently why he's stared in a lot of comedies, and although I don't see this film as a comedy in the usual sense, he does lend these characteristics to the film. also the ending I found incredibly touching. but there are moments which left me questioning the directors choices of what to include and what not to include and why. its those confusing moments which for me let the film down a little because there is a lot to take away from it that is very good and beautiful. on a personal note, i'd say out of all the films stiller has directed this is probably my favourite.