So, this movie was based on a play by Steve Timm. I've watched and read the play, and it bears very little resemblance to the film. But that's not why I dislike it (it being the film). I dislike because it's a bad movie.
Let's begin with the main character: Bob. After leaving the military, he develops a separate personality in a little boy he talks to, along with forgetting his time in the military. I have no qualms with this. But his actor was only OK, chewing through scenes as deadpan as a cadaver until the final scene.
Next, bob's daughter. I feel like it's not much of a spoiler to say: she dreams about Bob's forgotten war memories and that's fine. But what's not OK is that there's never an explanation for it. Perhaps have her be friends with Bob's alternate persona and she learns the memories that way? Other than that, she was good.
The wife: she was a hippie, until she had a child. From that point on, literally every choice she makes contradicts the idea of her being a hippie. That's it.
The friend from the military: he comes in because Bob is happy, and jacks all that up. That's fine. Is he good? Bad? Vengeful? I don't know. What I do know is that he's the only actor who delivers a decent portrayal that is wonderfully creepy. As a small side note, the phrase "rape" is just as shocking as "plugged in the nasty hole".
Which brings me to my final point: the drudgery that is the script. As I said before, the play is unlike the movie in that it does not rely on constant curses to deliver meaningful dialogue. The script is basically this: "sex, cursing, guns."
Overall, the movie is underwhelming, with a promising idea that ultimately falls flat in the execution. The twist is unbearably predictable. I recommend this film if a) you're bored, or b) the video store doesn't have anything else for rent today.
P.S. Is it just me, or would it be impossible to provide for a family of three doing nothing other than selling vegetables? Seems ill-advised. I mean, he is a veteran. Doesn't he have skills? Guess not.
Let's begin with the main character: Bob. After leaving the military, he develops a separate personality in a little boy he talks to, along with forgetting his time in the military. I have no qualms with this. But his actor was only OK, chewing through scenes as deadpan as a cadaver until the final scene.
Next, bob's daughter. I feel like it's not much of a spoiler to say: she dreams about Bob's forgotten war memories and that's fine. But what's not OK is that there's never an explanation for it. Perhaps have her be friends with Bob's alternate persona and she learns the memories that way? Other than that, she was good.
The wife: she was a hippie, until she had a child. From that point on, literally every choice she makes contradicts the idea of her being a hippie. That's it.
The friend from the military: he comes in because Bob is happy, and jacks all that up. That's fine. Is he good? Bad? Vengeful? I don't know. What I do know is that he's the only actor who delivers a decent portrayal that is wonderfully creepy. As a small side note, the phrase "rape" is just as shocking as "plugged in the nasty hole".
Which brings me to my final point: the drudgery that is the script. As I said before, the play is unlike the movie in that it does not rely on constant curses to deliver meaningful dialogue. The script is basically this: "sex, cursing, guns."
Overall, the movie is underwhelming, with a promising idea that ultimately falls flat in the execution. The twist is unbearably predictable. I recommend this film if a) you're bored, or b) the video store doesn't have anything else for rent today.
P.S. Is it just me, or would it be impossible to provide for a family of three doing nothing other than selling vegetables? Seems ill-advised. I mean, he is a veteran. Doesn't he have skills? Guess not.