I really loved Noah Baumbach’s 2005 film ‘The Squid and the Whale.” I guess he did, too, because his latest film, “Margot at the Wedding,” is essentially a rehashing of the same kinds of characters he created much more successfully in his earlier work.
Also problematic is that these characters are on the whole unlikable. His work is full of philandering intellectuals who make their kids and spouses feel bad about themselves and whose intentions to divorce damage their children. These people were powerfully drawn in “The Squid and the Whale” through carefully detailed episodes and pitch-perfect dialogue. But in this film, cryptic statements, pregnant pauses, and tantalizing omissions that are never played out substitute for the good writing he exhibited before.
Of course, Nicole Kidman is good as an aloof, formidable, successful woman, berating those around her for what she perceives as their own good. Too bad most of her scenes are with Jennifer Jason Leigh, whose non-acting acting style is, presumably, meant to pass for naturalism but comes across as the first cold reading of the script. Her biggest nod to characterization is in her costumes and styling; someone really managed to make her look like a mom who never blow dries her hair.
I enjoy seeing Jack Black playing someone other than himself, and that was one of the film’s few pleasures. That and a brief visit from John Turturro as Kidman’s unwillingly estranged husband. I can’t think of any other film in which he played a nice, normal man, and I felt palpable relief at his presence here. He made Kidman’s actions seem all the more cruel and arbitrary.
I hope that Baumbach has gotten these movies out of his system, and that he can keep growing. He has worked with another one-trick pony, Wes Anderson, on projects in the past, and he may be falling into the same trap of repeating past successes until they are no longer successful. Both directors have the enviable dilemma of whether to follow a formula that works, or move in new directions. I hope both of them choose the latter, and show us something different.
“Margot at the Wedding” is currently available to rent.
Fans of the quirky HBO show “The Flight of the Conchords,” or just fans of quirkiness in general, should rent “Eagle vs. Shark,” a charming romantic comedy which actually features a love scene involving the two costumes from the title. It stars Jemaine Clement, the larger fellow from “The Flight of the Conchords,” and an enchanting unknown actress named Loren Horsely as nerds in love.
Set in New Zealand, this flick is “Napoleon Dynamite” meets “Lord of the Rings,” and is full of such uncool pursuits as animal costume parties, video game bouts, and candle making. It’s hard to say exactly how much of the humor comes just from their accents, but, if you’re not splitting hairs, you will enjoy it.
Clement delivers as yet another overgrown man-child clinging to his past and refusing to grow up. I would think that this type is over-represented on screen by Judd Apatow and many others if I hadn’t personally witnessed this phenomenon to be fairly close to real life.
But the real pleasure in this film is Horsely, who is nothing short of effervescent as a hopeful and loving girl inexplicably into Clement’s inexplicably narcissistic character. Her relationship with her brother, a delightful artist and deliverer of lame movie impressions, brings a great deal of heart to this film.
It’s a standout because it delivers in charm and in feeling as well. While it could succeed with just its funny details and characters, it pushes through with warmth as well. More than just a perfect impression of the kind of odd people we all know (or perhaps are), it’s also a sweet story, and filled out with good supporting characters as well.
“Eagle vs. Shark” is currently available to rent.
Contact Asia Frey at afrey@lagniappemobile.com.
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