fine off-center indie

Rating: 6/10 (3 December 2014)

Lawyer Mike Flaherty (Paul Giamatti) does small time law. He has a loving wife Jackie (Amy Ryan). He and his law partner Stephen Vigman (Jeffrey Tambor) coach the high school wrestling team. Terry Delfino (Bobby Cannavale) is his sketchy friend. Mike has been having panic attacks for a couple of months with his practice going under. He decides to take on guardianship of Leo Poplar (Burt Young) for the $1500 monthly commission when he can't find his daughter Cindy (Melanie Lynskey). Then Leo's grandson Kyle Timmons (Alex Shaffer) comes to live with him. Kyle is actually a great wrestler and it's a win-win situation. Kyle's mom Cindy is in rehab. Mike puts Leo in a home anyways.
It's a slightly off-center indie. I wouldn't call it quirky. It's not necessarily funny. It needs to be darker to be a black comedy. The characters are likable. I wish Alex Shaffer has more charisma but at least he looks like he's a real good wrestler. It's a fine indie but it lacks a real edge. I love all the great actors here especially Giamatti. I just wish director Thomas McCarthy could bring out more power.