Sr. Pig

When I found "Mr. Pig" I can't say that it was a movie that I knew anything about. I picked it up solely because I saw Danny Glover on the cover, then I read the synopsis and thought that it did have the potential to be an interesting movie.

Now, I will say that while the movie is entertaining, it was a bit too mundane and generic for my liking. Sure, I was entertained well enough by what the movie turned out to be, however I had just expected somewhat more from it at the hands of director Diego Luna.

The story, briefly summarized, is about an aging man named Howard, whose Health is declining, who takes to the road for Mexico with his beloved pig Howard.

Of course there is more to the story that just that, because it also deals with family connections and bonds, and the attachment that stands between man and animal.

"Mr. Pig" did have some good acting performances, and Danny Glover was quite enjoyable in the role of Ambrose. It was also good to see Maya Rudolph in a role that stepped out of the usual comedy characters that she portrays.

The characters in the movie were quite well-defined and well-rounded, with lots of depth and characteristics to them. And that was a good Foundation for the movie, especially when much of the movie was based on a select few characters.

However, "Mr. Pig" turned out to be a mediocre movie for me. It had some entertaining enough moments, but the overall picture was just one of mediocrity. "Mr. Pig" is not the type of movie that seems to sustain multiple viewings, because it just didn't have that particular quality to it. "Mr. Pig" is entertaining enough in its own rights and for what it turned out to be, just don't set your expectations too high though.

Danny Gloves doesn't usually sign onto movies with so little to offer in the way of action/intrigue, so it was rather sad to see him floundering around trying to salvage something from this script. The relationship with his daughter doesn't ring true at all, and while we are supposed to feel sympathy toward his character there's an unshakeable fact that he's just not likeable. Everybody relates to one another in simple formulatic and cliche manners. Very dull. It takes a rare movie to take tremendous talent like this and come up with a dud.

If you're a Danny Glover fan, find yourself a copy of the indie drama Mr. Pig and treat yourself to one of his finest performances. If you only think of him as Sergeant Murtaugh in the Lethal Weapon series, you owe it to his talent to watch this movie. You'll probably be shocked it's the same actor.

Those of us who do like him will find it a little hard to watch, since we have to see him playing a very old man at death's door. He's in very poor health and spends most of the movie hooked up to an oxygen tank. But why suffer through that image of who we still think of as a virile man? Because in this sweet, small story, he has a best friend. He loves his friend and wants to make sure he'll be taken care of in the years to come. His friend is a pig. Danny can't bear the thought of the pig getting slaughtered or mistreated, so he takes a road trip with his daughter, Maya Rudolph to find the pig a good home.

Danny and Maya have a strained relationship, so this isn't strictly a "we love animals" movie. It's an internal drama about getting all your affairs in order at the end and prioritizing the ones you love. At times hard to watch, it radiates love in every scene to make it all worthwhile.

Well acted,well written story about end of life told in an affectionate way. Good portrayals by Maya Rudolph and Danny Glover.

Danny Glover turns in a heartfelt performance in Mr Pig. I enjoyed the film a great deal. Maya Rudolph is also very good as his somewhat estranged and worried daughter; although we don't see her until the film is about 2/3's over. Prior to that the audience only hears muffled snatches of their phone conversations. I feel the director should have cut to her at least once earlier in the film.

Some things don't make sense (i.e. - How does one get across the American/Mexican border without anyone inquiring as to the gigantic hog in the back of the station wagon?) The father and daughter have numerous issues to resolve and none of these come easy as Ambrose (Mr Glover) very much marches to his own drummer. The Mexican scenery is lovely and the supporting characters all fit in perfectly.