Brad's Status

I hadn't seen a Ben Stiller movie in a while and this one kind of came out of nowhere. Very little marketing and promotion meant that when I saw it was released I was surprised, but it is reflected in its low budget. The movie follows Brad (Ben Stiller) who is disappointed with his life, since all of his friends became very rich and successful in life. The plot revolves around him going to Harvard with his son, who is trying to get into the university.

The rest of the plot if filled in with learning more about Brad and his successful friends, whilst his son is really only there to move the main plot forward. It all felt a bit slow, which was not helped by the sweeping camera shots with no speaking and Brad's narration that is a bit too frequent.

However, when things eventually happen in the plot it is good. It made me feel sad for Brad at times, yet happy when he realised what was truly important in life. The key message, of course, is that money does not equate to success and this movie certainly delivers that well. What I also enjoyed was that although this message has been littered in numerous movies, Brad's Status delivers it in a refreshing format.

Although Brad's Status will not wow you, it is certainly a good movie. The plot is nothing new and it may feel slow at times, but it will bring a smile to your face in the end. Regardless of whether you like Ben Stiller's previous performances or not, this will be a worthy addition to your watchlist, especially at this time of year when it can be chilly!

Most people, even successful ones,have doubts about themselves but Brad really needs a psychiatrist for his feelings of inadequacy and this movie lays it on so thick viewers may feel they have been recruited to the position. There are a few moments when some dim realization begins to set in that material success may not be everything but not enough to provide any kind of balance. If this was intended as a comedy it is too dour. If it was intended as a slice of life it is not a slice I would want to see.

Brad is the type of guy who doesn't belong in any kind of social circle really. For some he is too low for their class, for others he is too high. While his problems are laughable compared to problems that are solved by the funds he raises, that doesn't make his problem mom existent. People generally tries to classify this type of films as futile attempts by privileged people. But human mind is always in a fight with itself to achieve more in life and whatever the world around is going about ultimately it's your mind that decides if you have failed yourself or not. Even though the film deals with familiar themes the script is powerful enough to keep you uncomfortable throughout the film. Ben Stiller again proves his best characters are dramatic roles with a light touch of comedy.

I read most of the comments and i just want to add something regarding the intention of Brade and how is life should not goes around people. Your behavior and purposes in life should come from inside you, something will make you alive and has a value and if you make it to be recognized or be impressed only you will be meserable whatever you are doing even if it is charity stuff. The movie is deep and has a lot about these days kind of life. Beautiful and i liked it so much. It touches me so much :)

Brad's Status tells the story of a middle-aged man going through a mid-life crisis of sorts, after constantly comparing himself with his apparently happier, wealthier and more successful college friends.

Ben Stiller makes us hate this petty, jealous little guy as he reveals his most inner thoughts to us - and the a**hole he truly is. What an ugly, ugly character. And yet, we can't help but feel a little bit sorry for the guy... and some sympathy. All of his frustrations, all that inner pain, the inability to appreciate what he has, nor to understand why he just can't be happy... Stiller delivers this wonderfully. And we've all felt like that at some point in our lives, I guess.

Austin Abrams plays the son of this poor man, a much more balanced and mentally healthy person, who has to deal with his dad's selfishness and self-centeredness without loosing it on a crucial part of his life. His performance is also excellent, his natural calm delivers a great contrast to Stiller's constant "on-edge" state. Their interactions were all so... real, and heart warming.

This movie is a great opportunity to look at your own life achievements and confront the way you feel about them. Of course the movie has to be "slow", as some angry reviewers said. It's an introspective. By the end, you might realize that everybody's lives are special in their own way. The point is: we are alive. We're STILL alive. So let us be satisfied about it, and live.