Paddleton

A fragment of life. No past or future, just a fragment. Almost like a documentary. Predictable? Yes, but it still made me cry. The movie is not about what happens in the end , it is about a journey and that person who walks that last path with you with you. "Why did we have to buy this? Any 100 pills would give you the same result".

Both these actors have been phenomenal in comedy, especially Mark, who I have now watched in multiple roles, so to see them in such a brave act of spectrum revealing performance is ironically refreshing, considering the tone of the movie. Watch this movie for powerful performances by both these brilliant actors and a story that makes you think about some serious issues related to your own loved ones.

Probably one of the best depictions of male friendship on film, albeit a brutal assault on the emotions. But really, what do you expect from a cancer flick?

'Paddleton' felt incredibly realistic and authentic, perhaps in part to no dialogue being in the script. It really helped Duplass and Romano share an excellent onscreen chemistry - the latter who delivers what I consider the best performance of his career.

It made me laugh and its ability to find humour in the darkest of human experiences is something special. The film meanders along at its own pace, with occasional simple moments feeling devastatingly powerful at times - an untouched piece of pizza, a wristwatch alarm clock.

Despite all the great things about 'Paddleton', I just felt super depressed afterwards and that it perhaps didn't quite hit the mark for being something truly amazing.

"Fly to.. where guys don't hover, because that's where I live"

I did not know what to think about about this moving when I first saw it on Netflix. It had Ray Romano so I thought it might be good and clicked on it. Wow, not a funny, chipper afternoon watch but I was hooked by the way it was filmed and how it flowed.

It did not over power the dialog with emotional music or scenery, it let you get there on your own and when the ending happened, you felt it. Both the sadness and the hope.

The climactic scene in Paddleton would have to rank as one of the most incredible pieces of cinema I can remember. Ray Romano and Mark Duplass produce a moment that is virtually unmatched in its authenticity and honesty. I can barely believe what I just watched, it's a scene that will stay with me for a long time.

Prior to this, Paddleton moves along slowly and tentatively which is clearly by design. The improv style is a difficult beast to tame but Romano and Duplass do it with panache and no lack of humour. It's a definite change of pace to your average modern movie but it is well worth sticking it out.

A real sleeper of a film that brings the topics of life, death and friendship into startling focus.