Watch this movie totally cuz of Greg. It's not his top performance but it's nicely done. In terms of acting a mid life crisis man he did it good. Treasure the chance seeing these actors acted is the key point.
17 Reviews
If you got OCD and multitask, stay away from this Blue pill.
shide_8518 November 2019
Warning: Spoilers
The actors have partial chemistry and gives mixed performances - ranging from right out bad to really good. The movie is built as a classic romcom but never develops that way, which means it should be a comedy but the builds and finishes does not strike well and ends up with a couple of forced laughs with and at it.
The potential was there, the cast was good aswell, the style could have worked well enough. Script and direction was probably the weakpoint for the comedic side.
There is one strongpoint that brought it up from a 4 to a 6 for me; and it's regarding the Aristotle quotes (you really need to pay attention to the first one) and view the movie with it in mind. The movie persuades you to a life without meaning, unless you take a step back and think it over. This is displayed amongst other times when he has just passed rock bottom in the hopistal and is passed a phone to view his daughter in a show that he missed, he focuses on that he missed it and the consequences of that instead of noticing that his daughter has gotten a leading part. If you take a step back and think over the movie you might find a dean "Wurtz" who speaks greek and is hostile towards a person from Michael Fisk's youth who formed a lifelong bond with him stands out. All is not what it seems, "I know one thing, that i know nothing" becomes irony redefined if you picked up on it.
RANT: If you do NOT pick up on that it's a blue pill claiming that life has no meaning, no answers can be found as everything is in a state of change. As most know that is quasi (just like the classic - there can be no objective truth because every notion is subjectively interpreted by humans from different perspectives before it's conveyed), everything changes in different paces - relating to something that changes slowly rather than rapidly makes you more accurate. So basically you will be left sitting without an answer and with a quasi bs philopsophy a la does a tree make a sound when it falls if no one is there to hear it? Currently know as the infamous Schrödinger's cat (what we know is irrelevant - it has either happened or not happened, if it has; a gives b and look we've established basic deducive reasoning - it's only in theory you can allude to induction not being a correct measure of a future action - until the first outcome has been established, then it's a numbers game).
There is one strongpoint that brought it up from a 4 to a 6 for me; and it's regarding the Aristotle quotes (you really need to pay attention to the first one) and view the movie with it in mind. The movie persuades you to a life without meaning, unless you take a step back and think it over. This is displayed amongst other times when he has just passed rock bottom in the hopistal and is passed a phone to view his daughter in a show that he missed, he focuses on that he missed it and the consequences of that instead of noticing that his daughter has gotten a leading part. If you take a step back and think over the movie you might find a dean "Wurtz" who speaks greek and is hostile towards a person from Michael Fisk's youth who formed a lifelong bond with him stands out. All is not what it seems, "I know one thing, that i know nothing" becomes irony redefined if you picked up on it.
RANT: If you do NOT pick up on that it's a blue pill claiming that life has no meaning, no answers can be found as everything is in a state of change. As most know that is quasi (just like the classic - there can be no objective truth because every notion is subjectively interpreted by humans from different perspectives before it's conveyed), everything changes in different paces - relating to something that changes slowly rather than rapidly makes you more accurate. So basically you will be left sitting without an answer and with a quasi bs philopsophy a la does a tree make a sound when it falls if no one is there to hear it? Currently know as the infamous Schrödinger's cat (what we know is irrelevant - it has either happened or not happened, if it has; a gives b and look we've established basic deducive reasoning - it's only in theory you can allude to induction not being a correct measure of a future action - until the first outcome has been established, then it's a numbers game).
Good intentions but a bore
cekadah14 July 2019
The set-up is great - a despondent dentist who feels lost because of his broken marriage, he feels like a failed parent, and his dental practice offers no satisfaction - begins to stalk a patient who he sees as the "man with the perfect life". This action becomes a big mistake.
But the path Director/Actor: Greg Kinner takes to tell this story is so full of holes and ridiculous situations the story never reaches it's comic goal and quickly descends into a goofball story trying to make a valuable statement on life.
The Greek persona never becomes remotely convincing.
But the path Director/Actor: Greg Kinner takes to tell this story is so full of holes and ridiculous situations the story never reaches it's comic goal and quickly descends into a goofball story trying to make a valuable statement on life.
The Greek persona never becomes remotely convincing.
Watch if you like Greg Kinnear!
mikemagine22 July 2019
Despite it's dismal rating of 5.4 at the time of this writing, I watched the movie because I have been a fan of Greg Kinnear for a long time. About 20-25 minutes in, I almost shut it off....glad I didn't. What I thought would be a dark comedy turned out to be a kind of "feel-good" comedy with some important life truths...The grass isn't always greener, count your blessings, etc. Somewhat predictable at times, I was also caught pleasantly by surprise a few times, especially at the end. Phil also seems to be Greg Kinnear's directorial debut. Nice job Greg, I look forward to your future endeavors whether acting and/or directing.
Waste of time
nigelmacdonald8 July 2019
Tries so hard to be both a comedy in the style of Green Card while also attempting some deep and meaningful examination of human existence. It fails at both, but Kinnear is likeable and his performance almost saves it.
Morbidly disturbing
Gordon-1114 September 2019
The story disturbs me a lot. I find it so morbid and so sick that someone would do such a thing. Though part of me long to find out how the story will end, a bigger part of me get repulsed by his inexplicable actions. I can see how the story is interesting to some, it doesn't work for me.
Very good. Something different
vucaii14 November 2019
Two Excellent Actors Bomb
Moviegoer1921 July 2019
Actually, it's not the actors per se, but the script and the film itself. After paying for it, I wound up turning it off less than midway. It's one of those films that is not believable, not funny, stupid and ludicrous. Oh, and did I say predictable? It reminded me of certain British films and TV shows in which the so-called humor has cruelty implicit in it, and for me, is impossible to watch. Watch at your own risk!
Kinnear's directorial debut is weak
stanevans2213 August 2022
Greg Kinnear is so bland he makes Bill Pullman seem exotic. In this film, his reach way exceeds his grasp. Kinnear just isn't a deep thinker. To think of all the worthy artists who will be denied a chance at directing while this ninny gets his shot. Weak, weak, wek.
This Film Should Be Called "Pill," Not "Phil"!!!
lavatch22 August 2019
Warning: Spoilers
"Phil" is a lightweight comedy/drama in which the filmmaker's heart is in the right place.
Greg Kinnear is outstanding in carrying the film about a hapless, despondent dentist searching for the truth about life. He also skillfully directs the film with an especially fine touch for pacing. For some of the greatest wisdom pertaining to the film's main theme, the action shifts to ancient Greece and the thinker Socrates, who proclaimed that "the unexamined life is not worth living."
Such an examination unfolds in an unorthodox way as dentist Phil impersonates Spiros, an old friend from Greece of the late Michael Fisk. Fisk was briefly a patient of dentist Phil, whose life begins to unravel when Fisk, whom Phil believed was the perfect man, took his own life.
The comic scenes are well played by Kinnear with excellent timing and understatement. Emily Mortimer is good as the widow Fisk, who takes a liking to Spiros and turns her house over to him for a remodeling project. The comic bits are fun as Phil scrambles to make people believe that he is a genuine Greek.
In the end, there is a heart-warming and endearing quality to Phil's character. He means to bring no harm to the widow. He is only searching for the truth in order to heal his own wounded soul. While Phil does not entirely follow Socrates' advice, he nonetheless pursues the journey of truth with good intentions. And intentions do matter in life, even if one's is behaving like a pill.
Greg Kinnear is outstanding in carrying the film about a hapless, despondent dentist searching for the truth about life. He also skillfully directs the film with an especially fine touch for pacing. For some of the greatest wisdom pertaining to the film's main theme, the action shifts to ancient Greece and the thinker Socrates, who proclaimed that "the unexamined life is not worth living."
Such an examination unfolds in an unorthodox way as dentist Phil impersonates Spiros, an old friend from Greece of the late Michael Fisk. Fisk was briefly a patient of dentist Phil, whose life begins to unravel when Fisk, whom Phil believed was the perfect man, took his own life.
The comic scenes are well played by Kinnear with excellent timing and understatement. Emily Mortimer is good as the widow Fisk, who takes a liking to Spiros and turns her house over to him for a remodeling project. The comic bits are fun as Phil scrambles to make people believe that he is a genuine Greek.
In the end, there is a heart-warming and endearing quality to Phil's character. He means to bring no harm to the widow. He is only searching for the truth in order to heal his own wounded soul. While Phil does not entirely follow Socrates' advice, he nonetheless pursues the journey of truth with good intentions. And intentions do matter in life, even if one's is behaving like a pill.
AWFUL
elvisstillking22 August 2020
Better than some would have you believe.
ravenboldie2 February 2020
Both my partner and I watched this last night and I always ask her what she gives a movie out of 10, 10 being the highest rating. My partner gave it 8 and I gave it 9. Greg kinnear is one of the best actors around and his acting skill clearly showed through in Phil. Great story, full of lows and highs but would love to have known why 'he' did the unthinkable at the end. Well worth the watch!
Loved this
rgu-2974423 November 2019
So much of any movie depends on a persons mood, attention, ambience, and setting, and I think many of these poorer reviews are misguided. I thought it was very enjoyable. Several laughs, good acting and story. A worthwhile investment of 90 mins or so.
Really Good!
itaylor-506657 July 2019
This was a very pleasant surprise.
Great group of actors, all performing well. Kinnear is always good but really excelled this time. The writing was good and the story really kept our interest. Serious but with moments of humor. A very adult movie but, thank heavens, not spoiled by the inclusion of bedroom action or filthy dialogue. And no smoking either!
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Solid effort
bernardoarquivo7 July 2019
Warning: Spoilers
The film is about Phil, a divorced dentist and father (of a daughter with whom he doesn't know how to communicate), who's going through an existential crisis. After a suicide attempt he doesn't have the guts to carry out, he meets a patient - Michael - who has a positive and enthusiastic take on life, gives him advice on how to overcome problems, talks fondly of his adventure in Greece with his friend Spyros, and has what could be called an ideal life: money, a beautiful and passionate wife, and a great daughter.
Phil starts stalking him from afar, trying to learn what the secret of a perfect life is. And on one of those occasions Michael - who believes he's alone - hangs himself. Finding out why Michael did it turns into an obsession to Phil and he introduces himself as Spyros to the widow, in an attempt to discover what drove Michael to throw such a good life away. We'll soon know whether he'll find what he's looking for or further aggravate his own personal problems.
It's a curious story, a light drama with hints of comedy and a solid effort by Greg Kinear in his directorial debut. Emily Mortimer is great in the role of Alicia, Michael's widow. Check it out.
Phil starts stalking him from afar, trying to learn what the secret of a perfect life is. And on one of those occasions Michael - who believes he's alone - hangs himself. Finding out why Michael did it turns into an obsession to Phil and he introduces himself as Spyros to the widow, in an attempt to discover what drove Michael to throw such a good life away. We'll soon know whether he'll find what he's looking for or further aggravate his own personal problems.
It's a curious story, a light drama with hints of comedy and a solid effort by Greg Kinear in his directorial debut. Emily Mortimer is great in the role of Alicia, Michael's widow. Check it out.
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