Hot Air

This movie is great. A lot of the reviews so far don't agree with Lionel's views so they give a low rating. If you watch a movie with killing in it do you give it a low rating because you don't agree with killing? No it is a feelgood movie about a radio host who hasn't moved with the times but is strongly influenced by his 16 year old niece he had never met. Recommended.

Steve Coogan's conservative talk show character is portrayed as intelligent, clever, and witty. Yes, he's also an angry schmuck, but he's definitely not a "cartoon" or a two-dimensional character. Interestingly, the liberal protestor character who winds up on Coogan's talk radio show is portrayed as a genuine dolt; you would think the conservative folks with the one-star "reviews" would have loved that, but that would require some thinking on their part. They are here just to bash the film, no matter how nuanced it is. Is it a great film? No, the script is quite flawed in spots, not the least of which is a cringe-worthy cornball ending, but overall it is a decent film. Coogan is superb (no surprise there) and most of the other performances are excellent. The speech Coogan's character delivers at the end of his TV appearance is scathing and pretty much spot on about today's culture and society. Again, you would think the "conservatives" would love it, but they only love attacks presented in black and white; if they are included in the critique, then the entire thing must be some "liberal propaganda" garbage. That's the reactionary, oh excuse me, "conservative" way.

***Hot Air is really about a 6 star film, but I upped my rating to offset the bashing from the snowflake reactionaries.

That the Coogan character's searing indictment of aspects of modern American life might not go down so well with some viewers and reviewers, regardless of their political persuasion, kinda proves his point.

The story line is an ancient one, but its a good one. The acting didn't feel like acting, it became an internal of the external. Ends well, and in between throws enough salt around to get in just about every crevice.

I gave this film a 7 & that's fair.

This film is a good old-fashioned, feet up, Sunday afternoon popcorn munching watch.

It's sweet.

Everyone involved does their job.

This film deserves better than its current middle of the road rating. I can only imagine it has gathered some negative ratings due to some perceiving this film as having elements that attack the American right? I dunno?

Overall, I think this is a story about human connections & how those genuine connections can have an affect.

If anything, I believe this film highlights the folly of disconnect masquerading as genuine human interaction; regardless of political stance.