Head-Scratcher...

This is a very bizarre little film that hardly received any theatrical play. The film made it to a few film festivals and was not very well received.

My interest was peaked by the participation of one of my favorite young actresses, Kate Beckinsale. I thought to myself, "How bad can it be?"

Well, it turns out that the film is rather weak in every area.

The premise is a bizarre one. Beckinsale is in a relationship with Matthew McConaughey, who has a history of dwarfism in his family. He is one of the few normal sized people in his family. But he has kept this a secret from his girlfriend until she reveals that she is pregnant with his baby.

In a side plot, his brother arrives in town for a little people convention. The dwarf brother is played by Gary Oldman.... Yes that's right, GARY OLDMAN????!!!!

They use a few poorly executed digital effects and some "forced perspective" to make him appear like a little person. The fact that his arms are way too long and that he has to walk on his knees for the entirety of the film makes this a dreadful idea.

The brother arrives in town with a friend played by Peter Dinklage (The Station Agent), who falls in lust with a highway hooker played by Patricia Arquette.

Trust me... this gets even stranger.

The baby arrives and causes conflict with McConaughey and Beckinsale. And after they split, she and the dwarf brother start a close friendship of sorts.

I am tired of recounting this loony plot. The film is heavy with messages about how little people are just like the rest of us and that we should see beyond the exterior. BLAH BLAH BLAH. Who needs it?

I liked McConaughey and Beckinsale a lot, but the script is absolutely silly and cheesy in every way.

I am tempted to drop this film to a D+ because of the insane idea of Oldman as a dwarf. It reminds me of when Hollywood painted white actors to play Indians in old westerns. It is insulting and unrealistic.

Skip this film unless you are desperate to see Beckinsale look obscenely beautiful for 90 minutes... or if you want to see a few shots of McConaughey in his undies.

The story leaves a lot to be desired. The direction is simple and dull. The acting is only as good as the dialogue allows. And the message is a gag inducing one that doesn't achieve its goal.

© Written by TC Candler

How We Rated This Film TC Candler - C- Richard Propes - B- Jacob Hall -

Richard Propes' Comment

Director Matthew Bright needs to be unemployed...I'm simply amazed this film is not a high "B" or low "A" film. It should be...the performances deserve that much. Yet, Bright clearly thrives on little moments of melodrama and hardsell...over anything actually resembling a storyline and dramatic resolution. With an entirely different theme, this film oddly resembles the chaotic style he used to direct "Bundy."

The script is credited to Bill Weiner, who has no other films to his credit. I'd have to suggest a few more writing classes before he attempts any others. This film had remarkable potential, but falls significantly short due to an inconsistent plot and chaotic storyline.

This film is definitely not for everyone, but I found it entertaining, moving and an authentic look at dwarfism, life, childbirth and relationships. It's a tremendously missed opportunity for greatness, but I still give it a moderate recommendation thanks to strong performances by McConaughey, Beckinsale, Oldman, Dinklage and Arquette.

Jacob Hall's Comment

n/a