Gus

A smart, funny debut film by director and writer, Jessie McCormack. The story focuses on two strong female friends who face a difficult decision about a pregnancy. But the film is more than the tired "she's having a baby!" trope, and develops well all of its characters, male and female alike. Ms. McCormack has created characters who are real--they have flaws; they make mistakes. But they are intellectually honest flaws, and this makes for a poignant film. And rather than making these characters unlikable, we realize that they are just trying to make it through life the best they can--just like the rest of us. The story that will make you laugh and sting just a bit in the way good stories should. Kudos to Ms. McCormack and the excellent cast. (The film also looks great.)

In Los Angeles, the real estate agent Peter (Jon Dore) and his wife, the private teacher Lizzie (Radha Mitchell), have a troubled marriage since they are unable to have a baby of their own and they are facing financial difficulties. They have sessions with the marriage counselor Dr. Grayson (Mimi Kennedy) trying to resolve their issues. Lizzie spends most of her time with her friend Andie (Michelle Monaghan) and her dog Joyce, and gives classes to her only student, the teenager Justin (Andrew Shea). When the brainless Andie has one night stand with a stranger, she gets pregnant and gives-up of an abortion and offers the baby to Lizzie. Peter does not get excited with the idea, but Andie comes to their house to live with the couple. Meanwhile Peter's brother Casey (Michael Weston) leaves the rehabilitation and Peter bring him to live in his house since his brother is fragile and needs family support. With the four adults living together, friction increases among them.

"Gus" is a deceptive unfunny and annoying film. Surprisingly there are good reviews in IMDb. The story is pointless and the characters are awful and uninteresting. Andie is brainless, silly and irresponsible. Lizzie is confused and annoying, and does not give attention to her husband. Peter is a real estate agent that has to swallow his anger with his snobbish client, has many concerns (financial, his brother) and Lizzie presses him to fix the latch of the gate. Casey is absolutely uninteresting and not well developed. And their counselor Dr. Grayson is a moron. In the end, it is a totally unfunny comedy and the viewer is incapable to laugh. My vote is three.

Title (Brazil): "De Repente Um Bebê" ("Out of the Blue a Baby")

I did not know what to expect when i got to the theatre. And assumed it was going to be a typical chick flick I was going to have to suffer through, however I'm glad to say my assumptions were wrong! Jesse McCormick did an outstanding job in her directing debut. It was indeed a story focusing on the relationship between two women done in a way that was totally accessible to both men and women. I laughed out loud more times than I can count, and the acting was suburb. The movie felt quite real to me and the relationships between the characters felt genuine. Don't let the trailer fool you this is not just another "girls" movie. I would recommend it to anyone wanting to kick back and be thoroughly entertained for 87 minutes of great filmmaking!

First off let me start this review with the fact that I knew nothing about the film going into seeing it as I was invited by a friend and just said yes to a Saturday evening out with no expectations. I watch a a lot of films and can be a pretty tough critic on the acting, the writing, and so forth and this film came in as a hidden gem of a picture. From the start of the film I was laughing and it had already drawn me in with it's witty humor, clever writing of scenes, and the nice flow the film had from start to finish. I was never even close to bored and the time and pace of the film was spot on perfect for telling this story which the actors did an amazing job of presenting with amazing chemistry between the leads. I do not want to give anything away with this film, but if you enjoy a well told film and want to walk away with a laugh go see this!

I do not want to write anything against this film, because I am kind of indifferent about it. It is more for the girls then for the big boys like me ;) Plot is from life and I liked it because of it. I always like realistic plots from life. It is probably how it looks to have a surrogate baby being expected in L.A. So plot is OK.

Acting is very good short of being excellent, but nothing out of extraordinary.

Music is well chosen especially one in the end of the film. Very nice.

Otherwise I am quite indifferent about recommending this film for someone else to watch it, because I feel only a notch better after watching it. So if you are a girl and like babies this is a film for you. Otherwise, you big men, take a hike!