The Hater

I read all the reviews and was not at all surprised to find a lot of them polarized on real world politics instead of independent film story line politics. On both sides, I might add!! I thought about adding a star for all the haters and then decided not to do that. To me, it was a 6.5. And I rounded up. I always round up.

I do not understand the name of the movie, but won't share my thoughts on it here, because, it doesn't matter.

The movie!! It was a movie about a young politico growing up and accepting her adult position in a town that she grew up in, left, and returned to even though she hated it. Once she got back, she found herself figuring out ways to help her friends and help the town keep its old town charm.

You also see that a hella lot of political animals, no matter what button or color they wear are the same as everyone else. And that no one is perfect. Just like no movie or film is perfect.

Is it a laugh out loud movie? No. Is it a quiet movie? Yes. Will you like everything about it? Absolutely no - not unless you are Joey Ally who had all the hats on during the making of it.

If you are hyper political - don't watch it. You won't like it at all. Save yourself the time.

Really don't know what to say about this film, and not sure if I understand the agenda. Is it funny? No.

I enjoyed the first part with Brice Dern, the rest is questionable.

Do I understand the title? No Is this film important? Hell, no!

An interesting premise, but the film falls completely flat. Dorothy never grows or becomes truly likable at any point. Unlike Doc Hollywood or My Cousin Vinny, Dorothy never really comes to respect her hometown or warm to its inhabitants. Midway through, the film also hints that the bullying of Dorothy wasn't necessarily one-sided, but it never delves any further and Dorothy doesn't reflect on any mistakes she might have made. Worse, she starts and ends the film manically spewing unfounded assertions and spouting slogans. Dorothy remains a schemer throughout the campaign, so she never moderates or compromises on her far left environmentalism nor does she manage to learn what folks on the Right think. In short, you're far better off watching a political comedy like The Campaign, where the two main characters aren't political stereotypes and neither is entirely good or entirely bad.

40 minutes into this movie and I had a wild guess that the lead of the movie must be the writer and director. I have never seen her before, and it seemed to be a semi-amature vanity production. Sure enough, she wrote, directed and stars in this ridiculous movie. As of the 40 minute mark, it is not even remotely funny, and Dorothy's behavior is simply anxiety inducing. Done.

Great premise and real and really heartfelt script. In the end Dorothy does warm up to her hometown, she learns exactly how the folks on the right think and she reflects on the parts she may have played in her childhood bullying as well as is also confronted with a little bit of bullying she may have done of her own. Dorothy's character is transformed and completely evolved by the end of the story. EXCELLENT MOVIE!!