Tedfoldol
everything you have heard about this movie is true.
ChicDragon
It's a mild crowd pleaser for people who are exhausted by blockbusters.
Justina
The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.
vbemail-social
This is a portrayal of typical Americans who think the world owes them their misfortunes who have no care for other people. Why is it a big deal to care for your ailing family? That's what's family is for, to care for each other, it doesn't need to be shown on big screen making it look like the caretaker is a hero. Don't waste your money. Bad movie, lame actors.
WLSleddy
This movie revolves around the unfortunate events that continuously plague James White (Christopher Abott) in this harrowing spiral into addiction and utter darkness.This movie is extremely character driven, relying heavily on the actors performances. The acting was exactly where it needed to be, adding a sense of realism, giving this movie a very uncomfortable feel. Christopher Abott plays the role perfectly, in this breakout performance. Cynthia Nixon also gives a memorable performance as a cancer-stricken mother of James.It is top-quality filmmaking, giving you a glimpse into life in it's most authentic form. It makes you feel different emotions, a sense of what it is to be. It has a gloomy feel throughout which gives the perfect vibe to the subject matter of the movie.Overall it is a film that boasts strong performances from all involved. It is a very dark movie that is definitely deserving of it's Sundance praise.
allgirlde
I went out and seen a great movie tonight called James White.James White (Christopher Abbott) is a asshat who lives off his mothers (Cynthia Dixon) couch. His mother is battling cancer and during her remission his estranged father dies. James has a narcissist personality and is on a drunken and drugged fueled downward spiral. He heads to Mexico with his friend Nick (Scott "Kid Cudi" Mescudi) to escape from from his responsibilities. While he seems to be in a perpetual fog as a means of escaping his harsh reality he meets a girl Jane (Makenzie Leigh). Just as he starts to relax his mothers cancer returns and he receives that dreaded call. He returns home and has to put all of the emotionally irresponsible crap behind him and take care of her.James is a bitchboy who does his best but with two worlds colliding his anger and frustration over how to take care of his mother whom he loves more than anything makes him increasingly lost.The actors rolls are on fleek. Nixon with her portrayal of a cancer patient throwing up, collapsing, losing her memory, wandering aimlessly, the bathroom scene and agony of facing death is definitely award winning. Having seen someone die from cancer and living with it I must say Nixion portrayal of this is awesome. Abbott's roll shows multi sides of expressions of grieving which makes for a difficult viewing. The heart break and devastation of both watching someone you love die and trying to work through living with the pain is how it ends at the crossroad of choices and again definitely award winning.
alwayshungryy
James White (Christopher Abbott) is caught in an endless cycle of self-destruction. He has just lost his father and fears losing his ailing mother (Cynthia Nixon) who he has been taking care of for years. He spends his days drinking, sleeping around and lashing out at others, doing anything to avoid confronting his grief and emotions, which he keeps under the surface, bubbling and waiting to burst. Life has been unfair to him, and this behaviour that manifested sabotages any chance of career or personal growth. He might be using his mother's condition as an excuse not to step out of his comfort zone and try harder in life, which is reasonable to some extent, but he can't seem to change. In his prime, he is jobless and taking his mother's couch as a bed.This narratively loose drama doesn't offer anything particularly new in giving us a glimpse into the struggles, both internal and external, faced by James. There is not much closure or emotional reward to be given. This is summed up perfectly in one of the very few scenes in which we see James surrendering to his emotions, crying while repeatedly yelling "I don't know what to do".The best aspect of the film is the acting. Nixon gives an authentic, heartbreaking performance that's understated. Abbott, on the other hand, is given a character that requires patience and sensitivity to sympathize with. James internalizes many complex emotions throughout the film and what goes on in his mind is not always clear to the audience. It's a tricky act to balance but Abbott pulls it off. Their mother-son relationship is the only thing that's certain in their lives and is the core of the film.The film could have very well ended during its most powerful and stirring scene with James and his mother in the toilet. She can't get up, so they sit and talk about what their ideal life would be like and the future they had hope for. They feel at peace as both of them stay in this moment, still and smiling. This is when the bleak reality of the film truly sets in, as we see these people, both kind and full of dreams and desires, trapped in an unfortunate life.
