OK, not a horrible movie, not a fantastic movie but certainly not a waste of time as some have said. I watched this movie having read the three previous reviews: two bad and one good. So I did not expect much. But I am glad that I stuck it out. Independent films give writers and directors the chance to explore topics that would never make it in the mainstream, and that is what this movie is all about. Quirky characters with interesting real dialog. Very unusual plot idea. A very touching conclusion that was the definition of true love for me. I find it to be a quiet little movie that explored a lot of human flaws and issues in a very short period of time. The doctor's assistant is my favorite character, along with the completely self-absorbed mother.
9 Reviews
More thoughtful (if weird) than comic
pholt-769-94353519 August 2013
Warning: Spoilers
I don't know how this thing got classified as a comedy. It has several eccentric characters, but the pace (slow and deliberate) and energy level (low most of the way) don't suit comedy. Rather, "Armless" invites us to slow down and try to understand John, the protagonist, and his strange desire, and after a while, it starts looking credible. John's mother would mess any kid up, big-time, and his desire to be able to lose his fear by taking pain and loss is noble, even if his plan for getting there is bizarre. Other people's ways of handling fear and stress aren't to be recommended, either: two characters cope by popping pills, and a third has retreated into self-absorption, largely out of greed. Some parallels drawn between John and the doctor who tries to dissuade him show that other people have John's issues do. So the madman starts looking sane in an insane world. It's an absorbing movie, but I still don't think it qualifies as a good one. I wouldn't recommend it to any friend I wanted to keep. PGH
You don't have to also want to cut off your arms to enjoy
ItsAustinHarris27 December 2023
I picked this up on DVD as I saw it was part of the 2010 Sundance Film Festival as well as a winner at the Toronto Independent Film Festival.
A quirky, off-beat dark comedy with great dialog that explores the bizarre side of the human condition and its unique flaws however weird they may be sometimes. I felt the impact of the lines exactly the way they intended. The comedy is understated, slow, and deliberate leaving more in the blank space than spoken.
The condition shown in the film is a very real and very rare disorder called Body Integrity Identity Disorder. A phenomenon of people who desire amputation of healthy limbs or who desire paralysis. "Quid Pro Quo' (2008) is another less based in reality movie about DIIBs. The struggles shown in "Armless" are some of the same struggles that people with the disorder may experience.
I think independent films can serve a very similar role as comic books. They allow writers and directors to try things and explore topics in weird subcultures that would never appear in the mainstream. Every once in a while a story will break from indie to mainstream if it strikes a chord.
To enjoy this you need to be into independent films and the more unusual topics. I wouldn't recommend this to basically anyone I know, although if I did I must think you are weird and cool and would be able to appreciate what most couldn't.
You don't have to also want to cut off your arms to enjoy.
A quirky, off-beat dark comedy with great dialog that explores the bizarre side of the human condition and its unique flaws however weird they may be sometimes. I felt the impact of the lines exactly the way they intended. The comedy is understated, slow, and deliberate leaving more in the blank space than spoken.
The condition shown in the film is a very real and very rare disorder called Body Integrity Identity Disorder. A phenomenon of people who desire amputation of healthy limbs or who desire paralysis. "Quid Pro Quo' (2008) is another less based in reality movie about DIIBs. The struggles shown in "Armless" are some of the same struggles that people with the disorder may experience.
I think independent films can serve a very similar role as comic books. They allow writers and directors to try things and explore topics in weird subcultures that would never appear in the mainstream. Every once in a while a story will break from indie to mainstream if it strikes a chord.
To enjoy this you need to be into independent films and the more unusual topics. I wouldn't recommend this to basically anyone I know, although if I did I must think you are weird and cool and would be able to appreciate what most couldn't.
You don't have to also want to cut off your arms to enjoy.
Boring till the last minute
InterCC2 April 2011
Before watching I thought armless was going to surprise me pleasantly with a quite original script. Unfortunately I was half wrong. I was surprised, but I had far from a pleasant experience. The movie started boring, kept on being boring and ended boring.
The 'story' could've been far more interesting if there was a real reason for John to want to cut of his arms. Now the reason is lame, as is his constant "you are disgusted with me, aren't you?". A free tip: if you have to ask someone constantly if you are something negative you probably are! Asking so often John gets quite annoying too.
The movie really had nothing in it and none of the actors seemed to rise above this sorry excuse of a movie. There is nothing you get from this movie, it's no fun, it has no good actors and basically no reason to watch. I made the mistake to do watch it and would not advise anyone to do the same. Be wise and let this one pass.
The 'story' could've been far more interesting if there was a real reason for John to want to cut of his arms. Now the reason is lame, as is his constant "you are disgusted with me, aren't you?". A free tip: if you have to ask someone constantly if you are something negative you probably are! Asking so often John gets quite annoying too.
The movie really had nothing in it and none of the actors seemed to rise above this sorry excuse of a movie. There is nothing you get from this movie, it's no fun, it has no good actors and basically no reason to watch. I made the mistake to do watch it and would not advise anyone to do the same. Be wise and let this one pass.
Low budget film stinks it up at Sundance.
therreid30 January 2010
Sometimes at Sundance you hit the occasional film that is truly horrid. Armless is one of those rare awful films that sneak into Sundance from time to time.
From a dull and lackluster plot to boring characters, "Armless" did not deliver on any front at all. The screenplay is poorly written, disjoint and lacking a story that keeps the audience interested. As a comedy it fails at making the audience laugh or even smile.
John and his desire to cut off his arms earned a few laughs early on in the show, but as the film went on, the audience tired of the character and his repetitive lines as well as those of his wife. By the end all in the theater were just glad it was over.
I had the misfortune of viewing this film at Sundance 2010 and as we exited the theater the comments from the movie goers were almost a universal, "what a waste of time". My advice if you see "Armless" being shown is to run the other way.
From a dull and lackluster plot to boring characters, "Armless" did not deliver on any front at all. The screenplay is poorly written, disjoint and lacking a story that keeps the audience interested. As a comedy it fails at making the audience laugh or even smile.
John and his desire to cut off his arms earned a few laughs early on in the show, but as the film went on, the audience tired of the character and his repetitive lines as well as those of his wife. By the end all in the theater were just glad it was over.
I had the misfortune of viewing this film at Sundance 2010 and as we exited the theater the comments from the movie goers were almost a universal, "what a waste of time". My advice if you see "Armless" being shown is to run the other way.
Not as bad as it's made out to be
HolyCatchphrase24 February 2013
I can understand how this movie may not be for everyone. It's dark and quiet with comedy more in the silence than the dialogue. It has a very personal and secretive tone, and I would recommend watching it alone rather than in a group. Odd, soft-spoken, and questionably allegorical, the best way to enjoy this movie is to connect personally with the characters and try to understand their positions. You don't have to want to cut off your arms to understand John, you just have to know what it's like to want something desperately, feel outcast and misunderstood, or to be so comfortable in your own security that it makes you want to break free. It shows, from both sides, lies we tell ourselves and others in order to fit in. This movie is tragic in its humanity, hilarious in its tragedy, and ultimately true. Good actors, interesting plot, and it gives viewers something to think about. It's definitely worth watching on the off chance it will be for you.
Interesting idea but poorly executed
mgentalen16 June 2021
Armless is a story of a man, who, not happy with his life leaves his wife and goes to New York. Why you may ask? We find he is going to New Yok to attempt to saw off his arms, John uses a alias as " Hazard"; watch out for the numerous Dukes of Hazard bad puns.
We see John in a hardware store, buying the saw; then looking up a doctor, whom he believed is the one who does odd surgeries. It is not the same one. The whole third act is John, locked himself in the broom closet; with the saw as the doctor is trying to tell him not to do it. We hope for something "exciting" at the end, but like the whole movie, nothing shows up.
In all, this project goes nowhere.
We see John in a hardware store, buying the saw; then looking up a doctor, whom he believed is the one who does odd surgeries. It is not the same one. The whole third act is John, locked himself in the broom closet; with the saw as the doctor is trying to tell him not to do it. We hope for something "exciting" at the end, but like the whole movie, nothing shows up.
In all, this project goes nowhere.
A wonderful, surprise at Sundance
hazelrah889 July 2010
When I bought tickets for this film at Sundance, I was extremely skeptical. "Off-kilter" comedy could go both ways. Luckily for me, I was about to be pleasantly surprised.
Outrageously hilarious, breathtakingly sad, and utterly inspiring this film does wonders at everything it tries to accomplish. The acting is superb and the lines deliver the exact punch they had intended. I can't remember the last time I had been so engaged by a film.
The film is, as it's production crew describes, an off-beat comedy. And it is hilarious. Each character, with their own unique quirkiness, adds a bit to the entire feel of the movie. When placed all together each has a roll to play and they all come together for a fantastic, extremely INTENSE, ending.
This film is a major keeper. One in which I am greatly looking forward to seeing it again and again.
"Armless" is going down for my "BUY" list for sure!
Outrageously hilarious, breathtakingly sad, and utterly inspiring this film does wonders at everything it tries to accomplish. The acting is superb and the lines deliver the exact punch they had intended. I can't remember the last time I had been so engaged by a film.
The film is, as it's production crew describes, an off-beat comedy. And it is hilarious. Each character, with their own unique quirkiness, adds a bit to the entire feel of the movie. When placed all together each has a roll to play and they all come together for a fantastic, extremely INTENSE, ending.
This film is a major keeper. One in which I am greatly looking forward to seeing it again and again.
"Armless" is going down for my "BUY" list for sure!
More like a touching "Disease of the Week" movie than a comedy
FelupFan28 August 2016
The condition portrayed in the movie is a real one and a rare one - BIID - Body Integrity Identity Disorder - a disorder in which otherwise healthy individuals feel that they are meant to be disabled, each in a very specific way.
The main character's difficulties in dealing with this deep desire and disclosing this to his wife are difficulties that real people with BIID also face. I haven't seen many movies with a BIID theme, but compared to "Quid Pro Quo" which may be a more entertaining movie, this movie is more true to the reality of BIID.
For me it was definitely a drama, not a comedy - that's not to say there is no humor. Feeling that the true you is arm-less and not achieving this arm-less state means continuing to live a lie and trying to work through this without devastating those close to you is the stuff of drama, not comedy.
Despite the good acting and important content, I can see how this is not a movie for everyone. If you have an interest in BIID, I would definitely recommend it.
The main character's difficulties in dealing with this deep desire and disclosing this to his wife are difficulties that real people with BIID also face. I haven't seen many movies with a BIID theme, but compared to "Quid Pro Quo" which may be a more entertaining movie, this movie is more true to the reality of BIID.
For me it was definitely a drama, not a comedy - that's not to say there is no humor. Feeling that the true you is arm-less and not achieving this arm-less state means continuing to live a lie and trying to work through this without devastating those close to you is the stuff of drama, not comedy.
Despite the good acting and important content, I can see how this is not a movie for everyone. If you have an interest in BIID, I would definitely recommend it.
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