ChicRawIdol A brilliant film that helped define a genre

Baseshment I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

filippaberry84 I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

Ariella Broughton It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.

Lisa Marshall For a tired night where I just wanted to be entertained, this movie was light-hearted and fun and had some good scenes. I actually agree with the other reviews saying that it didn't meld well--the way things played out was inconsistent to who Bill seemed to be. But I wasn't looking for melding, just for something to keep me interested and laughing and this did that. There was also a touch of sincerity to the whole of it that appealed to me.But. Oh the but. I was truly bothered by the story line of the role reversal between Bill and the kid.(Logan Lerman, who was exceptional in his role and really stole the show). I love kids, love encouraging them. love seeing them expand their minds and enjoy the zany aspect they can bring to life. But Lerman's character was so smooth, polished, jaded, slick. And Bill was mentoring him to a life of chronic disappointment when he grows up and his smart-alecky ways start to smack him in the face. Spoiled rich kid does not even BEGIN to describe him. He was living in a plastic world and that was adulated throughout the movie, which I think is just wrong. Of course, the movie wouldn't work without it, so in that sense I'd give it a 0 star.Lerman not only never has to face the consequences of his actions (opening scene Bill covers for him selling drugs in high school--he lies for a kid he doesn't even know.) but he is the cocky kingpin throughout the movie. I felt my stomach turn a couple of times when Lerman is sagely giving advice to BIll about how he should run his life (which is pretty much the basis for the movie). If you look at who Lerman's character is--a young, self-entered, quite narcissistic ne'er–do–well--for him to give advice is about as valuable as a McDonald's soda cup discarded on the side of the road. To me, there is just something terribly wrong in the staging of that. Not that Lerman gave the advice, that fits for a typically know-it-all teenager. There is no fault to the character he is, just that this one-dimensional, inexperienced character who gets by on money, looks and grins was given such high esteem for being wise in the movie. And given this while at the same time Lerman is constantly having to be covered for his indiscretions by the man he is giving advice to. There is a disconnect in that and it could be an undercurrent reason why many found this movie flat. A cocky kid who ends up mentoring the mentor doesn't sit well in the psyche. It comes across as false. It actually could have worked well if Bill was Lerman's own age.Then there is the total disregard for any standards--Bill lies for Lerman repeatedly, joins in his sexual soiree (again, it's the age factor that leads to the discomfort), and joins him in getting high: A sentimental, golden scene where Bill has completely aided the delinquency of a minor and drove him across town while completely stoned. You can get arrested in both Washington and Colorado for both of those--pot friendly as they now are.What partially redeems the plot (the film is redeemed by good acting) is that Lerman's character, narcissistic as it is, really does show generosity (with more than money, which has no value to him) and caring for Bill. And Lerman is such a superb actor that there is still a wisp of feeling that he looks up to Bill and seeks him to "please love me like the dad I apparently don't have." But then again. I was never completely won over that Lerman's actions weren't simply b/c he is like a mob-leader in self training and he just wanted to control Bill for his own personal pleasure (like buying the extra fire works). By the end there did seem to be genuine affection, but I"m not sure any of Lerman's actions were truly altruistic.Again, typical for a teen, so the character is true to form, but that still leaves the "let me be the leader, follow me" factor out of whack.

elmstl Although my sentiments may have something to do with the fact that I attended the school in which half of this movie was filmed, I still think that it's absolutely hilarious. The film is incredibly accurate in its portrayal of the wealthy community of Ladue, Missouri, and it gives viewers a glimpse into the dysfunctional, scandalous, backwards world of Midwest high society. Even the names of some of the individuals in the film are exactly the same in real life. This movie probably hits a little bit too close to home for some people...rich trust-fund babies controlled by their parents, horribly dysfunctional marriages, affairs, inappropriate student-teacher relationships, the stupid school uniforms, the cars people drive, the country clubs, the banks, the tacky jewelry, EVERYTHING is completely accurate! If you've ever spend any time in St. Louis, you absolutely MUST see this movie. It is sickeningly real, and the people depicted in it are probably too stupid to know that they are being mocked. I give this movie two thumbs up.

jotix100 Bill has married into a family with money. His reward is a position in the bank owned by his father-in-law, where he does not have anything of importance to do. His wife Jessica, Bill discovers, is having an affair with an oily television reporter, more interested in his looks, than anything else. When Bill realizes the deception, he moves away to the home of his brother, a gay man, living with his lover.Before he knows about his wife's cheating, Bill has been eating candy bars secretly; he has a big belly to show for his new habit. Through the connections of his father-in-law, Bill enters a program at the St. Albans School, where he becomes a mentor of one teenager from a prep school. Bill, who recognizes his life is going nowhere, decides to make it on his own by getting a donut franchise, much like Krispy Kreme, he is afraid of Jessica's disapproval.The boy Bill mentors, is wiser in things that his bigger mentor is not. Despite his misgivings, the "Kid", as he is known, is able to steer Bill into doing fun things, including moving into a big tent pitched in his brother's backyard, and entertaining Lucy, their friendly sales lady and another hot lady in his new home. Bill realizes what is wrong in his life and decides to lose all the extra weight he has been carrying. Doing that, he is able to win Jessica, and the franchise that means his independence.This comedy about a somewhat middle age crisis, was conceived by Melisa Wallack, who co-directed with Bernie Goldmann. Neither partner show any experience in taking the helm in a motion picture before, although Mr. Goldmann has long been associated as a producer, that is why the results are mixed. As a comedy, "Bill" misses its opportunity to be funny because of a screenplay that goes nowhere and satisfies no one.Aaron Eckhart is a good actor, but like some of his fellow players, he needs to have someone strong behind him when it comes time to choose what project to take. His Bill will not add much to his otherwise good movie career. Elizabeth Banks is a beautiful presence, no matter in what role, her Jessica makes no sense at all. Jessica Alba's Lucy is more of an adornment in the picture, for she has not much to do. Logan Lerman, on the other hand, is perfect as the naughty rich boy used to getting his own way.

Flippy Broerse This is a great Saturday night film. It borders somewhere between comedy and dramedy in that the topic veers often towards the all-too-serious before falling back into the comical.Aaron Eckhart plays 'Bill'. Bill married the bank executive's daughter. Bill has it all but doesn't have much respect from his wife's family. His in-laws basically think of him as a peon. When Bill's wife cheats on him, things get a little rough. I have to give the writer and director kudos for not driving the film into the conventional 'another shot at life' take here i.e. character falls to the bottom, builds himself up by cutting off all ties.He does build himself back up, but the pacing is subtle, real, human. Life is life, right, and Bill manages to pull himself together without making big dramatic scenes (a la Jerry Maguire) or bringing us some touching, knee-jerk morals and last minute epiphanies. He stumbles, breaks down and when you figure he'll win the girl in the end, he just wins himself.The 'Kid' here is fun, Bill learns a lot from him but again, no morals, no 'kid knows best' B.S. here. The film dodges a few of the main clichés we see in most movies.I thoroughly enjoyed this film. It isn't meant to be serious and it could have been. The writing is fun, the directing is fun, the characters are fun. What's wrong with fun?