robertglipp

The Love Punch had more "Punchy" than Punch and could have been much Punchier. All in all, it was a comedy that had me saying "Really" more times than I would have preferred with nonsensical scenes that seemed like big budget Three Stooges silliness. The punchless comedy featured several fine actors, giving this viewer some hope that it would be more than a ridiculous series of over-the-top, madcap moments as the two leads, Pierce Brosnan and Emma Thompson concocted an inane plan to get back the money a corporate raider had cheated them out of. The predictable action that followed (two exes reunited with a purpose seeking to make amends for being ripped off and falling back in love in the process) was ridiculous to say that least. Calling it a light comedy that didn't rely on too many bathroom scenes (just a couples and with unimportant actor) and passed on the typical stomach-turning scenes to keep the audience entertained wasn't much of a consolation prize, or a punchline that make this an enjoyable watch. Decide for yourself.

Better Days is a 2023 film that wasn't nearly as good as it could have been.

Sonja Smits gives a solid performance as a recently widowed middle-aged teacher who appears to just be learning about her life, giving rise to an awkward and cliched plot line about unhappy (or still searching) ever after. Cue the music: "Smile, Though Your Heart is Aching." Enough already.

Better Days needed a much better ending but that's my opinion. Instead, it becomes a conversation between the star and the viewing audience that breaks the rules of moviemaking in a good way, until the writer/director decides to betray that trust.

As good as it seems to be when the main character is introduced to another man, there must be something better out there. Where have I heard that before in this "What truly is happiness" generation? Let the angst continue.

But, why? The main character is a bright, apparently responsible woman with a good job, a formerly successful marriage and two adult children that care for her. Can't that be enough or is this movie a statement on coping with despair and finding some meaning for our perpetually troubled existence. If so, it's remarkably unremarkable.

Alix Sideris also stands out as the egocentric, obnoxious friend, who nobody wants in their life, but remains much like gum on the bottom of your shoe.

In baseball, we call this a swing and a miss by a mile. However, someone did make a movie, and that qualifies for something... 4 stars out of 10.

I get it. Life sucks, so why not make a film about it that goes nowhere, fails to emote any consequential feelings, and offers nothing more than a strong dose of nonsense steeped in a hard-to-believe reality. Why bother providing a substantive message?

A loser comedian comes into town with no vision of tomorrow and inspires a woman with two happy kids (it's hard to imagine why) and a husband who cheats but would rather it not get in the way to forsake her motel desk job and head out on the comedy circuit. That's it, plus a bunch of cliched nonsense that you hope is leading somewhere.

The acting wasn't bad, which is why I sat through it. Maybe you have something better to do.