Hot Air

Now I both love Steve Coogan and I tend to be easily-drawn to sentimental schmaltzy stuff I wasn't too agreived of the lack of any real political satire in this incredulous farce. I was charmed by the lovely characters wearing away at the hard heart of our comedian's comedian doing a questionable somewhere-in-the-USA accent. In fact the gutteral rasping was so indeterminate that it was both a bad American accent, but also a bad English one! There's nothing original in the political narrative of the Trump-era culture wars, but some great character driven comedy, a manic pace going nowhere, which gets all jumbled up with random action sequences, extended human interest and skin curdling cringe-inducing romantic bits... which both terrified me but also had me blubbering by the titles. So, in summary it was because of, not despite of its weird flawed hubris that really liked it.

Steve Coogan in a non comedic role plays a controversial radio host who finds himself having to look after his niece while her mother is in rehab.

The 16 year old niece is clever and sassy ( too much so that it becomes contrived ) but she plays it well.

Radio Host Coogan is nihilistic, emotionally withdrawn but very aware of his role within controversy.

He and the girl get to know each other and bond, he has a semi breakdown live on air as a result of work pressure and possibly the interactions with his niece.

The whole thing is a bit wishy washy at times and then tries to be liberating in other ways.

Its produced well enough and the performances are decent but overall it peters out into a story about an angry man dealing with his issues.

Some of the reviews about it being liberals attacking conservatives isn't true. There are tones of negativity towards the social media and disenfranchised society we live in.

I think the tone of the narrative is with regards to how the media likes to spark controversy for ratings etc and Coogan plays the ringmaster.

Overall an average film that could have gone deeper into its subject matter rather than angry man bonds with family member and finds himself.

5/10

That the Coogan character's searing indictment of aspects of modern American life might not go down so well with some viewers and reviewers, regardless of their political persuasion, kinda proves his point.

The story line is an ancient one, but its a good one. The acting didn't feel like acting, it became an internal of the external. Ends well, and in between throws enough salt around to get in just about every crevice.

This movie is great. A lot of the reviews so far don't agree with Lionel's views so they give a low rating. If you watch a movie with killing in it do you give it a low rating because you don't agree with killing? No it is a feelgood movie about a radio host who hasn't moved with the times but is strongly influenced by his 16 year old niece he had never met. Recommended.