Trust Me

I can't tell if the trailer is false advertisement to reach a bigger audience, or if it was done on purpose to surprise the viewer, but either way, this movie is far from a comedy and is hands down a drama with even a few metaphorical tid-bits and some film noir influences.

Plot: Howard Holloway(Clark Gregg, mostly known for his role as Agent Phil Coulson in S.H.I.E.L.D., Avenger etc.) is a former child star who, after his career went down, started his own agency to represent child stars of his own. Business is running slow and to make things worse, his most promising clients are getting poached by his "arch enemy" Aldo (Sam Rockwell). His love life is not doing well either, as his approaches on his crush and neighbour Marcy(Amanda Peet) are not leading anywhere either. This all seems to change abruptly when he manages to land a promising new actress, named Lydia(Saxon Sharbino), without his doing to be honest.

What does start off and sound like a "stereotypical" underdog hits big comedy plot couldn't be farther away from that.

Clark Gregg (who also wrote and directed Trust Me) is taking you on a ride that starts as a mild comedy with some shades of drama and step by step turns it into a fully fledged drama that will leave you surprised.

The acting throughout the whole movie is solid and really lives off the great chemistry between the actors. Especially Saxon Sharbino is standing out with her great performance that will go from childly innocent to devastated to treacherous in a heartbeat.

I can't stretch this enough, but don't expect to end the movie with a smile or laughter. It really is not a comedy. The movie even has a few metaphorical tid-bits that don't really stand out at first, but at the end you get what they were supposed to mean. And on top of that the movie even has a few film noir moments that don't seem to fit at all if you got the trailer in mind, but they are scarcely spread in the movie and really fit the mood.

Overall I can definitely recommend this movie.

I can't add anything to the descriptions already given in previous posts. It is all they have said - well acted, well directed, unlikeable characters, twists at the end, a strange and odd ending. It's all these things.

But the question I keep asking myself is "Did I like the film?" And, honestly, I don't know. There are funny scenes, heart wrenching scenes, confusing scenes. I don't know if I would ever watch it again, but,yet, I couldn't stop watching it. I wanted to know what happened next. I wanted to know how it ended. I wanted to see the whole movie.

And, in the end, isn't that what movie makers want from a movie? Making us have that feeling that we MUST watch the movie to the end? Even when we can't really say we are enjoying our viewing experience, we also can't turn it off or walk away because we have to KNOW how it ends.

That's how I feel about this movie. Did I like it? I can't tell you I did but I can tell you it was a movie I couldn't stop watching.

Along with the obscure gem "The TV set", this movie "Trust Me" is one of my favorites for blowing the lid off the sleazy cut-throat industry that cranks out what we're all here for: movies. It does it in an entertaining way, both darkly comedic as well as suspensefully dramatic. And ultimately it depicts the powerful & eternal struggle between honesty and success (which applies no matter what career we're talking about).

As other reviewers have said, don't just expect a comedy although the wacky title and DVD description may lead you to believe it. Instead this is a powerful story with a lot of heart. It does have some really funny moments particularly in the beginning, but as the tangled web gets woven, the film appropriately shifts to a more serious tone, almost like a thriller or crime drama at times.

Writer-director-star Clark Gregg knocks it outta the park on all levels. He plays the quintessential good guy in a sea of scum (such as the awesomely detestable Sam Rockwell playing his arch-nemesis, a rival agent). All his life he seems to be the personification of "nice guys finish last". But then he meets up with his one big shot: a talented unknown actress played by Saxon Sharbino (herself a fresh new face). But things soon get crazy, and I'm not just talking about the sleazy Hollywood types. The story takes an unexpected twist which really puts our hero to the test regarding how far he should go to protect the young girl who has put all her faith in him.

Some surreal dream-like moments (such as maybe a vampire scene?) and nice cinematography add tremendous personality to this flick. The script is excellent, especially with the witty, fast-paced banter between Gregg and Amanda Peet. And be on the lookout for some great bit roles by William H Macy (the creepy Audi salesman), Molly Shannon (the "milf") and the aforementioned Sam Rockwell.

I highly recommend this film to anyone who is considering getting into, or who is currently in, the entertainment business whether it's acting, writing, singing or heck even professional athletes & artists whose careers are potentially shaped (mutilated?) by those slick suits we know too well. Similarly-themed and similarly-vibed films include "Circus Maximus" about a writer who has 1 weekend to write a blockbuster film, "The TV Set" about a writer whose honest idea is slowly getting corrupted into a Hollywood abomination, and of course the big one "Jerry Maguire" about a sports agent's last shot at the big time. Alongside "Trust Me" these are all great flicks that might just change your approach to career & life. Vampire fangs are optional.

I enjoyed watching Trust Me and glad I did, though I can pretty much guarantee a lot of folks will hate the direction the film takes towards the end. This is because it seems like a light comedy for most of the movie and you grow to like the characters. And then, out of the blue, it turns incredibly dark….black hole dark! I didn't exactly love the twist, either, or at least parts of it, though I really can't say more or else I might spoil the surprises the movie gives the viewer—and there are quite a few!

Clark Gregg stars as Howard Holloway, an agent for child actors who is definitely in a career slump—or, perhaps his whole career is just a giant slump. He's just about to lose his last client and he has very little to show for his years in the industry---both as an agent and as a child actor himself. His personality reminded me a lot of the character Bowfinger (from the Steve Martin film of the same name) because he'll say or do just about anything to make the deal.

Howard's failing career seems to have a HUGE turnabout when a young actress, Lydia (Saxon Sharbino) decides she wants him for an agent. This is a big surprise, as it's obvious that Howard is NOT a big player in the industry and because her father takes an instant dislike of Howard (don't worry, Dad seems to instantly hate just about everyone). Soon, it's obvious that she is going to be his ticket to the big time, as she's about to be offered the lead in the newest series of over-hyped Hollywood teen blockbuster films (about vampire aliens!). But, while Howard looks like he's finally going to get the big break, a huge number of obstacles are about to be thrown his way—and one BIG one is coming from where he least expects it. And by then, you've actually come to like and respect Howard and you know he deserves better.

I think the best way to describe this film is an ultra-dark look at the awful side of Hollywood, agents and child stars as told through a parable of sorts. The studio executives are shown as being surprisingly ugly and dirty little people. Because of this, it's like the film is biting the proverbial hand that feeds it! But, the film abounds with biting from all sides and I think it's a marvelous film for parents of would-be stars to see—to show them what it is they might be looking for after all. Unfortunately, I am not sure how many are willing to listen.

The bottom line is that I really respect the film for exposing the viewer to some of the ugly aspects of the film industry—especially when it comes to kids. And, I appreciated the twists that come at the end. But, it might leave you feeling a bit depressed…so think about that before you give it a watch. It's exceptionally well written and crafted. All the acting is quite nice and the leads are given some nice support from the likes of Sam Rockwell, Paul Sparks and Felicity Huffman (among others). Gregg is marvelous as Howard and Sharbino IS amazing playing Lydia since she really is only about 14 yet performs like a woman of great intelligence and experience. I just hope that in course of her career (which looks VERY promising with this performance), Sharbino doesn't end up like Lydia in the film! An interesting story that makes you think and also might leave you a bit saddened for the experience.

What do you look for in a movie?

Today, it seems like every film has to have a bit of everything: comedy, tragedy, levity and suspense all hung up in this thing we call drama.

It's nearly impossible to do it, I mean, even Shakespeare kept his comedy and tragedy separate. One of the few writers and directors I have seen capable of doing this outside of the scope of literature is Clark Gregg.

You might know him from Iron Man and the Avengers and Agents of Shield: Phil Coulson. But you might not connect him to 'Choke' that awesome movie he wrote and directed, starring Sam Rockwell.

This film is impossible to talk about without spoiling it, so let me stay on the outside.

"Trust Me" A story about a child agent named Howard who has watched his client list dwindle and his life degrade gets a big shot at success when he begins to represent a teen named Lydia, who has a shot at a feature role in a movie.

Howard is a good guy and all he cares about is the future of these child actors, hell, he was one himself and knows the sting of being forgotten and left broke; but as he works to do what is best for Lydia, he is oblivious to his fate.

This was an enjoyable movie, any way you look at it. It had the great one liners from Marcy (Amanda Peet) and rival agent Aldo (Sam Rockwell), sustained comedy from Howard (Clark Gregg's character). Lydia (Saxon Sharbino) wavered between emotions, going from light to dark so easily. The acting never took me out of the story.

Clark Gregg has a directing style that is not so much surreal as Visionary. You see what the protagonist sees until he or she realizes their place and you become aware. Because of that, his films have a detective, mystery, noir feel, though they are not quite those types of dramas. You are on the outside, trying to understand and that makes for an absorbing story. Among other things, he is a capable writer.

This was a film that drew me in from the start, even though I had no connection to Child Acting or Hollywood. "Trust Me" is a movie about 'becoming' something, being let go from who you feel you have to be. Whether you look at Howard, the main character; Lydia, the young actress; Marcy (Amanda Peet), Howard's divorced neighbor. All these characters are trying to let go and become who they are.

"Trust Me" is worth a watch.