This film seems uneven upon first watch, but upon analysis there's a sharp division between all of the youth roles and adult roles.
Blake Cooper (chubby kid from CHUCK and MAZE RUNNER) heads the cast with a performance that is thoughtful, genuine and winning. He's surrounded by familiar young characters who are fleshed out by talented young actors.
Then we come to the adult roles: Luke Wilson as the dad is one-dimensional and barely registers. Hence, I didn't really care about his character in the least.
Judy Greer's considerable skills can't bring life to her poorly written part. As a professional, she connects with Blake Cooper, but the dialogue is severely limiting.
Donald Sutherland suffers the most, effecting an accent that might be South African or British, but it comes and goes, and is a terrible attempt. His accent detracts from his character and makes for a ghastly performance.
This could have been a classic coming-of-age movie, but its flaws -- drawn along age lines -- make it an okay one-time watch.
I'm now a fan of Coopers: he does a fantastic job. Interestingly, when I looked him up to see what else he's done, in new pictures he appears to have shed all the weight and cuts a very handsome figure.
Blake Cooper (chubby kid from CHUCK and MAZE RUNNER) heads the cast with a performance that is thoughtful, genuine and winning. He's surrounded by familiar young characters who are fleshed out by talented young actors.
Then we come to the adult roles: Luke Wilson as the dad is one-dimensional and barely registers. Hence, I didn't really care about his character in the least.
Judy Greer's considerable skills can't bring life to her poorly written part. As a professional, she connects with Blake Cooper, but the dialogue is severely limiting.
Donald Sutherland suffers the most, effecting an accent that might be South African or British, but it comes and goes, and is a terrible attempt. His accent detracts from his character and makes for a ghastly performance.
This could have been a classic coming-of-age movie, but its flaws -- drawn along age lines -- make it an okay one-time watch.
I'm now a fan of Coopers: he does a fantastic job. Interestingly, when I looked him up to see what else he's done, in new pictures he appears to have shed all the weight and cuts a very handsome figure.