Jeanskynebu
the audience applauded
Pacionsbo
Absolutely Fantastic
Invaderbank
The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.
Danielle
I've had this movie on my radar for awhile, because it has Jennifer Westfeldt in it and I'm a huge fan of hers and want to make sure I see everything she's ever done (I know, I'm a pathetic groupie). Somewhat surprisingly, she's actually not the best thing about this film, and I think she's a little wasted in it (like they told her not to overdo it and she's a little muted). But Paul Schneider is terrific, and overall it's a really funny, charming movie. It's definitely low budget, which is not a problem at all for me, because the writing is sharp and the actors do a great job. I've always thought that independently-produced romantic comedies are always better than the Hollywood ones, because they're always funnier and more romantic. This film is more evidence for my theory. The idea of being totally honest to run someone off is reminiscent of How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, but the concept is used to better effect in this movie and doesn't feel nearly as stilted as it did in Kate Hudson's film. The movie doesn't go quite where you think it's going either (at least not where I thought it was going) which is a bonus, and it has great kissing, another bonus. Definitely worth watching if you like movies that are smart and a little offbeat.
Andrew Parkinson
I loved the movie! My wife, a friend and I watched it together and found ourselves laughing really hard. We particularly liked the scenes where the main character did his best to alienate all of his "friends". I'm sure all of us have had similar urges with people we have met either socially or at work, but would never act on them the way he does. The dialogue and reactions really are brilliantly written and cast.We also loved the relationships and character development throughout the move, as well as the ending twist.A definite must for anyone who loves a good movie and loves to laugh!
Knuckle
Like the title, everything in "50 Ways To Leave Your Lover" is swiped or cribbed from another, greater source.In this monstrosity, Paul Schneider, plays the main character Owen, a weedy author of pot boiler murderer biographies who aspires to become a legitimate, serious author. Far from being a sympathetic schlep who we can sympathize with for falling short of his dreams, Owen comes off as a petty, whiny, vindictive loser who does more to sabotage his own efforts than the supposedly cynical, money-is-everything city that surrounds him.Given an opportunity to enter the world of legitimate literature by writing the biography of a scientist, Owen for some reason feels the need to leave the city in the rudest way possible. Ostensibly, this is so he will never be tempted to come back but it comes off as a contrived way to allow our hero to scandalize, verbally brutalize, and otherwise act in a horribly anti-social way to everyone that he has been associating with over the past few years. But then, just as he has burned every single bridge imaginable, he meets and falls madly in love with the girl of his dreams. Oh, the humanity...Aside from some highly derivative dialog (you'll notice some Albert Brooks-esquire lines and deliveries in there) there is a scene involving lime Jell-O that will have you screaming, "That's EXACTLY like the lobster scene in "Annie Hall!" None of Owen's pranks, and the situations that arise from them, are particularly original, clever, or compelling and so when you come to the highly predictable end you are almost relieved. That is, ALMOST. A likelier scenario is that you will be left feeling gypped of your time and money, with your intelligence thoroughly insulted.
Andy (luciditynow)
This film started out with a humorous, well-written screenplay that had potential, but this was wasted by the incompetent direction of its writer, Jordan Hawley. This film is Hawley's directorial debut and it couldn't be a better illustration of his complete lack of directorial confidence, creativity, or thoughtfulness. The dialogue is delivered in a forced, emotionally false way. There are many comedic cheap shots and the humor has a needlessly mean spirit. On a technical note, the cinematography is pretty good with some vibrant colors and a few of the supporting performances, notably Fred Willard's, are funny. However, the film panders to the lowest common denominator and follows a predictable formula. Despite its low- budget, this film has none of the wit and edge you would expect of an indie. It is "mainstream comedy" in the worst sense of the term.
