Movie Review Monday: A.C.O.D.

Welcome to another edition of Movie Review Monday!

This week's film is the 2013 dark comedic drama, A.C.O.D (Adult Children of Divorce) starring Adam Scott, Jane Lynch, and Amy Poehler among others in a solid ensemble cast.

Two things to start off: this is my first new movie review in a while, so thank you for your patience, and I did not like this movie. I had high hopes with the unique premise and awesome cast (including two of my favorites, Scott and Poehler from Parks and Rec) but it ultimately did not pan out.

The great cast wasn't given too much to do to and the plot was middling and frustrating. Sometimes when movies showcase realistic, selfish characters, it is refreshing and insightful. This movie did not accomplish that. It was just frustrating. It also didn't focus enough for me. It had a lot it wanted to do and balance, but it ended up fumbling for me. I watched this with my partner, and she wasn't a fan either. We wanted more resolution and more to grab onto in terms of the plot and any takeaways. I get that it didn't resolve anything just like life doesn't. Life just keeps on going. But I have seen other movies do a far better job handling a lack of firm resolution.

If you're looking for an uproariously funny comedy or a heartfelt drama, look elsewhere. This movie doesn't give much but a few good moments in what ultimately feels like a meandering hour and a half.

I'll have something better for you next week!

Thanks for stopping by!

Movie Review Monday: Short Term 12

Welcome to another edition of Movie Review Monday!

This week's movie from Netflix is Short Term 12, starring Brie Larson. The synopsis of the film (via Netflix), is that "A new charge at a foster care facility dredges up the memories of a young supervisor's (Larson) own troubled past, and her tough exterior begins eroding."

I found this movie to be very emotionally powerful, engaging, raw, and real. Larson carries the movie along and does a fantastic job as the troubled lead, showcasing a fracturing stoicism throughout the film. The cracks of vulnerability show up subtly at first, but then all the emotions stirring inside her begin to explode. I have enjoyed Larson in other bit roles she has been in like in Scott Pilgrim VS The World or Community but she knocks it out of the park with this one. All of the foster kids also beautifully embody such fragile emotional stability, breaking down under the weight of their own life stories.

The movie's takeaway is a good one; that bad things may happen to us, but we don't have to carry the burden on our own. Even further than that, the film tells us that family can be what we make of it. It can be comprised of whomever we choose and we don't have to live in the shadow of the past, a past that may be comprised of uncaring, abusive, abandoning families. There is a way forward, and there are people in our lives that can help us through it.

You can check out Short Term 12 streaming on Netflix right now.

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