Walter

Although I tried to find more to like in this indie dramedy, it just came across to me as mostly painfully unfunny and too long a slog to get to the 180 degree finale.

Andrew J. West stars here as Walter, who's made himself into an obsessive-compulsive "Rain Man"- like character since his father's death, a decade before. From the day of his dad's funeral, Walter believes God has given him the power to instantly judge whether another person will end up in heaven or hell.

Walter will try and deal with his strained relationship with his oppressively smothering mother (Virginia Madsen), as well as the interpersonal relationships with his co-workers at the movie theater, where he works as a ticket taker. When a ghost-like figure (Justin Kirk) enters Walter's world, and he begins to see a therapist (William H. Macy), Walter's ironclad life's rules will begin to be challenged and shaken.

There are a couple of life's lessons being offered here but, for me, as mentioned it was just too difficult a slog to get to them near the finale of the film. Also, the ending here just seemed too simplistic and contrived for my tastes.

Despite awkward writing in pertinent moments, this script works. Walt's love interest could have been better cast by yards or inches depending on how the director had control. The base theme is spot on in terms of how the writers displayed the denial that accompanies the deep loss felt by a child when coping with devastating loss. The relationship between Walt and some-girl-at-his-job was weak at best. His relationship with his therapist was more meaningfully developed in only minutes, a few scenes. Did not understand the egg thing. Rather, got it, but did not feel the import. Cool film, nice sentiment. Some ideas were undeveloped, but then maybe that's just the way it is. Acting well done by William H.Macy, Justin Kirk, Virginia Madsen, Jim Gaffigan of course, and AndrewJ. West.

The scene where Walt and Kendall shared a moment (in fact any shared screen time by these actors was forced) where Kendall was crying in the theater was sad only in that it was so poorly written. Failed love plot or huh? In fact, that's where the plot missed the attempt to connect the potentially shared grief. Walt's voice over stated that life's dreariness is blah blah unless shared. Completely failed element. Never developed. Nice film, well acted. Just needed some plot polishing beyond some cookie-cutter chick laying on popcorn ala American Beauty rose petals. We get that. Finish it. Yeah, the romance was stale at best even if it was a sub-plot. Finish the plot.

While I was waiting for something to happen I suddenly realized that this is a very nice little human interest story. Walter lost his Dad at a young age and it stunted him emotionally. His gradual realization of what his life is and what it could be is the story. There is some very nice talent with medium and small roles as his parents, psychiatrist, his father's former lover and even the great Jim Gaffigan as the movie theater manager. It is a slow paced feature but Andrew J. West has a lot going on as Walter deals with his unresolved grief for his Dad, his over protective Mom and his strong attraction to Kendall, the popcorn girl at the movie theater where he works. Justin Kirk plays the ghost who haunts him with snarky humor and a dose of reality which serve as the catalyst that Walter desperately needs to wake up and get a life. All in all a surprising and creative little flick that is worth your while if you can live without the usual clichés featured in today's films.

This movie is a very touching and deep story about a guy, who finds himself.

There is a bit of a romance, but nothing cheesy, just exactly to the right amount.

I actually expected some spiritual comedy with ghosts and such, instead I got a character study with heart and I'm happy about it. Sometimes I had the feeling, that there should be more explanation, but at the end I realized, that everything is just fine. You will get everything and it is not spoon-fed to you, but actually the director lets your intellect put the puzzle together and there is no piece missing.

If you like feel good movies, where you also can wish off a tear secretly, watch it.

While the presence of several well known actors including William H. Macy and Virginia Madsen have been referenced frequently in reviews and promotions of screenwriter Paul Shoulberg's movie Walter, the film wouldn't be as poignant if not for the stellar portrayal of the main character "Walter" by Andrew J. West. From his role as a cannibal in "The Walking Dead" to a Christian (of sorts) in Walter, Andrew's ability to create an awkward, ostensibly autistic 20-something and then transform him into a more relatable character as the story progresses is the beauty of watching this film. If you only add one independent movie to your watch list this year, make it Walter.