Three Days of Rain

This is not a Hollywood film. Do not watch this movie if you are looking for an escape; it just the opposite. This is a wholly depressing movie, but one that is worth watching. It is a realistic look at life, and how tough it can be. I found myself examining my own life after this film, and while it is a depressing movie; it made me think about the things that I appreciate.Yes, some of the acting in this movie is horrendous, but there are others who give a realistic portrait of life in the dumps. I wouldn't call this movie entertaining, but it will make you think. Any film that will leave you thinking well after its done, is a film worth watching in my book.

First, this is NOT a film of the Richard Greenberg play that Julia Roberts tanked in on Broadway; that is due in 2008. This film attempts to adapt six Anton Chekhov short stories into 72 hours in rain-soaked Cleveland. To say that it, too, tanks - would be an understatement. The joy of re-interpreting the great Russian author's smaller works must have pleased writer/director Michael Meredith more than it does the viewer. The six stories never intersect as one might expect, depriving the viewer of some sense of a dramatic fabric. If, perhaps, they had been played in a linear fashion, one following the other instead of inter-cut, the limited nature of their sad stories might have been a bit more satisfying. Or had Meredith let the viewer know that these were unconnected stand-alone stories based on existing stories, expectations for more might have been tempered. But as it is, six stories are just too many. Adding to the soggy woe, the majority of the simple tales are weighed down by lonely and unlikeable characters, the obvious and dreary 'umbrella' theme of a three day rainstorm, and some highly uneven playing by the actors. Limited to short-story characters, most of them strive in vain to create even the most basic character arc. THREE DAYS OF RAIN will inevitable be compared to CRASH (it pales) and - all too soon - Richard Greenberg's far more intriguing narrative.

While I didn't enjoy it as much as Crash, I thought it had some interesting elements to it. First off its set in a rain soaked Cleveland over a period of 72 hours. Okay, so basically that means THE WHOLE MOVIE is set in the RAIN. Not much more than that, its a morose drama with some good ideas that pretty much get ruined by bad acting and predictability. Some may argue that the movie just aims to make you feel bad and bring a sense of gloom to your day. While it does just that (and succeeds) it far less captures you, and just tries too hard to make you feel sorry for the characters whom none of which are likable. There's one scene with the baby (those who have seen it know which) and the mother that you knew what was going to happen before it did. It was all too contrived. It really took a turn for the worst on pretty much every result of the characters actions (and not in a good way, just a plain suck-ish way). It left you scratching your head not in disbelief but in an "Youve gotta be kidding me" kinda way. Not recommended unless you want to be depressed and love bad acting or vague representations of Chekov. Avoid like the plague.

I enjoyed this movie better than Crash. It is just as thought-provoking but without the Hollywood action thrown in. I also found the situations to be far more heart rendering. If you liked Crash, please see 3 Days of Rain. I left the theater with my friends at 9pm and we did not stop talking about it until midnight but could have gone on longer. You will find yourself asking the questions: What would I do if..? How would you feel / react ...? Although it's set in a constant dark rain, it is stimulating, and as my friends will attest, extremely thought-provoking. I wish more movies were worth my time and money. Definitely a movie to rent and see with friends. Excellent acting. Many surprising cameos.