Teddy Bears

I love The Big Ask!!!. Thomas Beatty's screenplay, his and co-director Rebecca Fishman's visual realization of it, and the performances throughout combine to make a haunting, touching, and hilariously human experience. It's about grief, courage, the crazy places loss and depression can take us, and the healing nature of friendship and love. I laughed my ass off, and then I cried. I've already watched the film twice, and can't wait to see it again. David Krumholtz gives one of the bravest performances I've ever seen. He's willing to let you almost hate him, until at the last possible moment, he redeems himself, and brought this viewer, at least, to tears. I also love that the filmmakers and actors are not afraid to play with the idea that subjects like death and sex and intimacy and, well, life are both uncomfortable, and funny as hell. The desert landscape and haunting score (also love the Deer Tick song, and final song - don't know who sings it ,but it's great) really enhance the experience. I so seldom find that a movie sticks with me, but this one did. Can't wait to see what Beatty and Fishman do next.

What a fantastic movie! The Big Ask is set up with a unique premise that sounds outlandish, but the execution of the movie feels tremendously real and meaningful. The script is smart, funny, and thoughtful, and the performances are very, very good. You feel immediately what it is like to be part of this group of friends and watching them deal with this situation and with their friend who is clearly in serious pain is entertaining and enlightening.

This is really a great movie and quite different than your typical movie studio drivel. If you're interested in a focused, dynamic study of character with fantastic acting, this is the film for you.

Why are these Individuals of the same species friends ? Showing that they are caring Individuals for the pat on the back or the hug of warm moistness against hard trembling loins that require some kind of fulfillment as caring Ego's? This has to be produced by a pimp or a porn producer, or perhaps those In power, or are the all the same ?Children watch this SHITE and base what life Is about by It!, It's a commentary on the State, Progress and Evolution of our Kind !......You need to flock? Beat off, or visit a Professional Poor Soul !This Isn't a comedy or drama!, It's a farce!, And we're all the king of France! The Comedy of life Is Hilarious!, THIS IS DRECK !

Despite the outrageous premise, this film offers a nuanced portrait of grief that is disarmingly realistic. Anyone who has suffered a major loss, or struggled with depression, knows that profound grief often begets profoundly twisted thoughts. For anyone who has had the lonely and terrifying experience of watching their relationships unwind as they struggle to cope with these emotions and return to normalcy, this film will strike a chord.

That being said, this film is not as depressing as you might expect. It isn't often that a film explores such dark aspects of humanity without being a major downer, but this one really pulls it off. Because the movie is about grief and its effect on relationships, the characters' friendships are front and center. These friendships are genuine, layered, and heart-warming. One of the things I liked best about these friendships is that there is a noticeable--but not cliché or shallow--difference between the men's friendships and the women's friendships. It isn't often that a film so aptly dances back and forth between male friendships and female friendships without relying on silly or offensive stereotypes. But here is a writer who gets it.

Loved this movie!!!

Despite its high-concept, almost absurdist premise, The Big Ask is grounded in a very real set of emotions. A man dealing with extreme grief finds himself in need of a tremendous (and unreasonable) outpouring of love. His loved ones are eager to help but feel frustrated and exhausted by just how needy he can be. Anyone who has experienced loss or tried to love someone through loss has dealt with some form of these issues.

The directors elicit commanding performances from their stellar ensemble cast. The film looks great and most of all the script is authentic, funny, and really quite moving. A fine, fine film.