click to enlarge
Luke Wilson (co)directs and (co)writes this modestly charming and watchable comedy about a man, “call me Wendell” Baker (Wilson is also the star), as he attempts to get his life back in order. It is fun enough, and at times likeably silly and irreverent, with a warm, personal touch, and some cute throwbacks from the more innocent comedies of the 70’s. You have to get past some clumsy directing, a sophomoric script, an overly sentimental attempt at character building, and the Scorsese syndrome of pop song saturation. It’s hard not to feel like this is a Bottle Rocket (where Wilson made his movie debut) done with less quirky finesse, or perhaps a more expensive My Name Is Earl, whose redemptive plot structure is quite similar. But you won’t be disappointed by the performances put in by the legendary Harry Dean Stanton and Seymour Cassel. They without question steal the show, and at times feel like the only saving graces to an ass-dragging 3rd act. I’d say wait for this to hit TBS in a few years, and watch it on a lazy Sunday evening.
Opens May 18
Opens May 18
