Matialth Good concept, poorly executed.

Myron Clemons A film of deceptively outspoken contemporary relevance, this is cinema at its most alert, alarming and alive.

Bessie Smyth Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

Celia A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

leplatypus This line is in the movie and applies to it perfectly. It's even closer: Al plays a great actor in decline and it's exactly what's the movie turns to be: Al in decline or more accurately Al in a really bad movie. Indeed, this production is the usual BS that Hollywood feds up with since a couple of years: awful orange / blue grading: maybe it's a bit less exaggerated here as there is some beautiful natural light but when the grass is green, i still don't want to see it brown. the gay character: in the 80s, every family movie needs to have a dog; in the 2000s, every American movie needs a lesbian or fag: they are so much everywhere that you could expect it's the norm now. the shrink character: as the previous one, this one seems also inescapable and it's rather a gloom verdict: in American movies, it seems that personal problems means psychiatric ones and to have a better life, you must be cured by those incredible medicine officers! This analysis arises indeed when the character fails to work... Did the writer ever heard about economy and being old ????the wealthy character: forget the old ordinary, working people, now Hollywood stars want only movies that matches their lifestyle and you wonder why the budget are so important! the narcissus behind the scenes: Hollywood doing movies about actors, movies is just the ground 0 of imagination, filmmaking! With all their money, they are shameful lazy to bring new ideas! the amoral romance with a Grandpa and a young woman: Here the age difference is 43 years and they mall call it love, i call it light incest: it's like a Dad sublimates his pulsation with a surrogate daughter. I remember to have watched a stinker like this recently (Elegy with Pénelope) and i'm not surprised it has the same pitiful (and old) writer Roth! So with all that BS, it was painful to watch Al, all the more that he was doing comedy for one time! His Shakespeare moments are also great because he is really into that and i suppose that we are really close to the real Al (messy hair, slumped, bad dark dressed) but at the end, this movie is rather disgusting! Actually, with a feeble Spielberg (bridge of spies) and a poor Al, we must realize that American movies are in big crisis if not in total decay and fresh air, new ideas must come in if they want to inspire again!!!

Bryan Kluger It's a wonder this film was ever made. The iconic and prolific author Philip Roth wrote the novel of the same name, 'The Humbling' this movie is based on. It was his 30th book and was met with a lot of negative reviews, most of which said that it was a lazy and terrible piece of work from a writer who goes for quantity over quality. But the film has its merits and becomes quite a good, if not funny film in the second half. It just takes a little bit to get there.'The Humbling' is eerily similar to the recent 'Birdman' film that starred Michael Keaton. Both movies center around an aging beloved actor who is trying to make their comeback on stage at the theatre. Each central character may or may not be going crazy. There are even similar scenes where the central character from both films are locked out of the theatre while their play is going on, and a few scenes where they are having conversations with versions of themselves in front of mirrors.But what 'The Humbling' has that 'Birdman' does not have, is a heavy emphasis on the sexual comedy of an older man (Al Pacino) and a twenty-something lesbian woman (Greta Gerwig). It plays out like some sort of Woody Allen film from the early 90s in with each of these wacky characters trying to interact with each other. And director Barry Levinson ('Good Morning Vietnam', 'Rain Man') proves at age 72 that he still has a stylistic eye and hasn't lost his step. Pacino plays Simon Axler, an award winning and wealthy actor who has been in numerous film, but is mostly known for his work with Shakespeare on the big stage. The first scene shows that he is completely drunk before he is supposed to go perform, where he hurls himself off stage in to the orchestra pit.After that unfortunate business and a mismanaged suicide attempt, Simon ends up in a nice rehab center, where he discusses his career and acting with the other patients. Soon enough, Simon is released from rehab, but on the condition that he interacts via Skype with his psychiatrist (Dylan Baker), which plays to a hilarious effect. Simon moves back into his luxurious estate by himself and is visited by a young woman named Pegeen (Greta Gerwig), whom he last saw when she was only 10 years old. Pegeen's mother (Dianne Wiest) and Simon were old theatre buddies and actors in their younger days. Pegeen is a fun girl-next-door type of beautiful, and let's everyone know she is a lesbian, but for some reason throws herself at Simon, saying the lesbian thing was a 16-year long mistake.This new relationship with many years in between the two now lovers have angered a few of Pegeen's previous lovers including her boss (Kyra Sedgwick) and former post-op ex-girlfriend who goes by Prince (Billy Porter). From here, the film becomes increasingly better as more kooky characters show up at Simon's doorstep, as he talks incessantly to anyone who will listen about his new relationship and acting abilities. It's quite funny with probably the best and funniest scene involving Simon and Pegeen's parents at a veterinary clinic where Simon is under the heavy influence of heavy duty tranquilizers. You've never seen Al Pacino this funny.Gerwig is wonderful in this role. She pulls you in with her charm and wit and still root for her when she makes bad choices. And of course, Pacino is brilliant in each scene. There is no over-the-top yelling from him, but rather an inconsistent, rambling of narration about his life. His struggle to figure out what his new relationship means with a possible onset of some rather debilitating diseases that effect the elderly is perfectly crafted by Pacino. And again, despite his age, he is still on top of his game. 'The Humbling' is the budget 'Birdman', but without all of the symbolism, imagery, and magical realism. It's a slow burn film that works best when Pacino is around his co-stars.

Tony Heck "I will never go on stage again." Simon (Pacino) is an aging stage actor who has a breakdown on stage. After a stint in rehab he moves out on his own again and is surprised when Pegeen (Gerwig), the daughter of someone he used to know shows up at his door. The two begin a friendship that changes into much more…or does it? Al Pacino has been my favorite actor for a long time now and anything he is in I am excited about watching. This is a type of character that he rarely plays, the only other time I've seen him play someone like this is in People I Know. That said, this movie shows why Pacino is such a force. The entire movie keeps you guessing what is real and what is imagined. He does a great job of really making you feel the way he wants you to. Whether he is sleep deprived in Insomnia or slowly losing his mind in this one you can't help but go through the struggle with him. This is a good movie but it is a little slow in some parts. Much like the recent Birdman, you watch an actor struggle with his inner demons, and while it's not a happy thing to watch you can't look away. Overall, Pacino once again proves why he is such a powerful actor. If you liked Birdman then watch this one. I give it a B.

namashi_1 Al Pacino leads Barry Levinson's 'The Humbling', which despite some arresting moments, is an Uneven Comedy. Its a slow-paced tale of an artist losing his mind, but Pacino never makes him melodramatic or nagging.'The Humbling' Synopsis: A stage actor who is slowly losing his mind engages in a relationship with a sexually confused younger woman.'The Humbling' is a terrific idea, which doesn't translate into a terrific film. Reason? The Erratic Screenplay, which appeals in bits & pieces. Buck Henry & Michal Zebede's Screenplay, which is based on a book by the same name, is situationally funny, but overall, its erratic. There are moments when you feel for the protagonist, but at times, you just disconnect. Better Writing was the need of the day!Levinson's Direction, however, is as complex as ever. Cinematography is aptly mounted, while the Editing lacks sharpness.Coming to performances, Pacino is the life of 'The Humbling'. As an artist losing all he's got, the legend gives us a character that remains with you even after the show concludes. He's excellent. Greta Gerwig & Dianne Wiest deserve a special mention, for their brilliant performances, as well.On the whole, 'The Humbling' will mostly appeal to Pacino fans.