Good on Paper

So this was advertised as a romantic comedy, but it's not really that.

It's about fake personality, something that's a real pain in the ass nowadays, where almost everyone is damaged and has low self-esteem because psychopaths and cunning narcissists get it all, and rub it in.

It starts off quite romantically, and gradually the doubts kick in

• is this guy really what he pretends to be?

Then the movie takes a darker turn, and it doesn't recover.

You get the bitter truth.

The dialogues are quick-witted, acting is good enough to carry the story, there are a lot of small jokes and funny moment that are worthwhile.

Don't expect a "happy" ending.

This is basically a movie version of "Dirty John" as a comedy.

If you like Iliza Shlesinger (I do), go watch it, it's certainly not bad.

I can understand the confusing reviews probably come from a mindset of expectation from the movie, considering Iliza was in it.

Although many including myself may have looked forward to a goofy, lighthearted laugh, I have to say the story had an abstract depth to it from a psychological point of view. In some ways it touched on some serious issues some of us deal with in relationships, not realizing the overtness in agendas of partners in them. In some ways also, the elephant in the room was addressed. Full marks for that.

That said, I'm not sure if the director even realized the power of the script. I felt as a movie, this was all over the place because it touched on so many different societal issues.

Maybe the focus could have been on narcissism and how to deal with the trauma it brings to those who don't realize it. Maybe this could have just been one of Iliza's (love her to bits) stand up episodes, I don't know.

Watch it if you're able to switch your expectations. It's a good one with a very important message. Don't watch it if you're expecting tears from guffaws.

This is a strange one. I liked it though.

I'm certainty glad I didn't check ratings here before watching this movie... because at the current 5.6 rating, we wouldn't have watch it.

This movie is entertaining! Comedy and some drama mixed in, with a dose of strong women, and an engaging storyline. Really enjoyed it and would watch again. A great Saturday night movie...for after the kids go to bed.

Iliza Schlesinger taking the Larry David approach to placing herself inside the fictional character, and it works. Like one of her stand-up routines massaged into a full story, Iliza pulls it off without seeming to break a sweat.

I'd like to see her stretch herself in future projects, but this one worked for me as a nice surprise by one of the hottest comics, fully capable of making the jump to acting. Looking forward to more!

Good watch, could watch again, and can recommend.

This is one was a little spoiled for me as I heard a podcast discussion on the real story, and then the slightly refined comedy routine on it.

Seeing those things come to life as a movie, I kind of knew the whole plot, which is just how it is with real life stories.

While I'm super happy Iliza got to have her story told, there was an opportunity to turn this into something spectacularly absurd.

("Tusk" was also based off a real story, from a discussion on a podcast but I'm still waiting on "Moose Jaws" (It's "Jaws", but with a moose.), so who knows.)

I think this is a great "chick flick", a great "woman empowerment" movie, and good venture into....not sure what to call it, an "anti-romantic comedy"?

I'm honestly hoping we get more movies with this sort of structure.