Lang lebe Charlie Countryman

On balance I think I enjoyed "Charlie Countryman", though it sure was a bizarre film that left me confused. It's NOT a film more most audiences and is for someone willing to look at a film that comes at them from all sorts of strange directions.

The film stars Shia LaBeouf--and he's a very strange actor that is hard to categorize. Sure, he made fluff Hollywood pieces like the Transformer movies--but he also made this small film as well as the sex-filled films "Nymphomaniac 1" as well as Nymphomaniac 2" with famed Danish director Lars von Trier. There's just no telling where he'll show up next!

"Charlie Countryman" starts with the death of Charlie's estranged mother. Oddly, just after she dies, he (LaBeouf) sitting in the hall outside her hospital room--and she comes to talk to him! She's been a mostly absent mother and he asks for some advice from her and she tells him to go to Bucharest, Romania.

On the trip there, the nice guy sitting next to him dies in his sleep. But, like earlier, the dead guy then has a conversation with Charlie-- asking him to take a very silly hat to his daughter (Evan Rachel Wood). He does this but somehow has convinced himself that there MUST be more to the story than this--some other, higher purpose. So, although this daughter pushes him away and her husband terrifies Charlie because he's a psycho mobster (Mads Mikkelsen--in a very scary role). And, again and again, Charlie is nearly killed by the mobster and his goons...but he continues seeking out the girl, as he's SURE there is a purpose to their meeting and being together.

Along the way, there are a lot of violent and nude scenes--far more than in a typical R-rated film. It is not for the squeamish or prudish, that's for sure. In addition to LaBeouf and Mikkelsen stretching their comfort zones in acting, Rupert Grint plays a drug-abusing strange person...and I mean STRANGE. There are tons of things to offend you in this one, a confusing and strange plot, weird characters and Bucharest-- one of the least touristy towns in the world. I kind of liked it because the film took so many risks and because the music was great. But, there was an awful lot that just seemed to not quite belong as well. For the viewer who is looking for something different...very, very, very different.

It seems like people have recently become quite callous because otherwise I couldn't understand why this excellent romantic semi-comedy/semi-drama/semi-crime story with excellent likable characters and a lot of love couldn't be highly appreciated.

It's not like this movies is without its flaws, for instance sometimes it dragged on and some parts of it could have been easily cut out without affecting the story in any way.

What you are about to see is a crazy love story involuntarily intertwined with the criminal world. It's not about being a hero and conquering the love of your life when you are lost, it's just about following the emotions which bring you to life.

I'd recommend this movie to anyone who thinks of himself as a romantic person, and I'd definitely recommend it to all ladies.

The movie is dumb and disappointing. Shia LeBouf did a commendable job but his character in the film was extremely annoying. There was barely any plot and the director didn't bother fleshing out any of the characters. All the characters were one dimensional. I watched this movie with zero expectations and yet I ended up disappointed. The ending sucked. The only redeeming quality of this film was Mads Mikkelson. Sadly he was given barely any screen times.

This movie really surprised me; I think this was one of , if not THE best Shia LaBeouf performance (looking forward for nymphomaniac).

The story is pretty simple and suffers from some plot holes but the movie strangely kept me glued to the sit wondering where Shia LeBeouf's journey of self discovering in the unknown city of Bucharest will get him.

The casting choice for the lead female role was a little odd, (i think it would've worked a little better with a more "traditional hot"-looking girl) Also noted should be the brilliant soundtrack of this movie (especially Moby's contribution). must listen: Moby -- After (Drumsound & Bassline Smith Remix) from the subway chase scene.

To sum up, this movie was a very nice surprise, the kind that keeps me watching and trying to discover the unappreciated beauty in the not-so-mainstream movies.

My Rating - 8/10

I really liked the movie. It was shown at the International Film Festival in Berlin and the director was there. Shia was there too for the Premiere, but only the director stayed a few days longer and did a few Q&As for the movie and general movie making. While the story he is telling here, is not really that surprising and the German actor known as Schweiger, is not adding much to the equation, the two lead characters are doing the heavy lifting.

I liked the way, Shia played his character and I thought Evan Rachel Wood was great too. Of course the movie does have quite a few flaws too, but it is engaging and if you let yourself into it, you will be entertained (even if it is also predictable). A nice little thriller then