THE GOOD
Let's start with the two younger actors. Liam James, a new comer that debuted his acting career in this film as the star of it, is perfectly believable in his role as an low-confidence teen in search for acceptance and meaning in his life. AnnaSophia Robb (Soul Surfer and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) plays the young Susanna, a neighbor and potential love interest that is also dealing with the same coming of age problems, albeit in different ways. I had no idea that she could act so well! I put the amazing acting of these two youngsters entirely at the feet of the directors, Nat Faxom and Jim Rash, who are masters of character.
One of the more interesting elements of this film is that it takes some major Hollywood names and casts them as characters that are opposite of the roles that they normally portray. For example, this is the first performance by Steve Carrell that I've seen where he is the main antagonist, and he pulls it off well. I never knew that Carrell could be unlikable as a character, but that's certainly what he does here. Also, Allison Janney gives one of the best performances of her life as a divorced mother going through a perpetual mid-life crisis and reminds us why she is so considered to be among the best actresses in Hollywood today. And while Sam Rockwell plays a variant of his Justin Hammer character (Iron Man 2) his bravado and likability are just so striking that you couldn't help but want to give him a golden statue of some sort.
All the other characters are great, but the few I have mentioned are the stand-outs. This film is a wonderful example of an ensemble picture, with a fairly star-studded cast. Each of these actors embody their character flawlessly and they have spectacular chemistry together.
The film's emotions are raw and real. The experience watching this movie was just awesome. I laughed hard, although it's quite not a comedy. I will admit that I cried at the end, even though it's not a sad movie. This film embodies why I go to the movies: to experience.
THE BAD
There really isn't anything I didn't like about this movie. Some have said that it is a little slow to start, but I found it to be riveting from start to finish.
CONCLUSION
As of right now, this is my favorite movie of the year. I haven't laughed and cried in a movie this much since Toy Story 3. I give it 5/5 Disco Balls.
PARENTS GUIDE
There is a fair amount of language in this PG-13 movie, but I wouldn't call it excessive. There is one F-Bomb and a bit of sexual dialogue, though nothing too explicit.
