All Is Bright

Solid 8. Great Can/Am movie. I really liked Giamatti's character in this movie. He just does what he has to. Not a bad man, just a man learning as he goes, and taking what he needs when he needs it.He look a lot like he did in Crumb, just beaten. Rudd is very good as a man who is always up, and never shuts up.(I see him in the mirror)Excellent characters in the movie as a whole. This will not be your must watch Christmas movie like Scrooged, (or ACS, or most importantly IAWL you old savings, and loan) but you will enjoy it, and feel the spirit of the season move you just that little bit. Going straight in this world is all about trying to keep all the crooked steps in the same direction. Enjoy.

'ALL IS BRIGHT': Three Stars (Out of Five)

Paul Giamatti and Paul Rudd star in this comedy-drama film that's a lot more serious (and less comedic) than I was expecting (with that pair). It's a Christmas movie about two losers from Canada trying to sell Christmas trees in New York City. It was directed by Phil Morrison (who also directed the 2005 indie critical darling 'JUNEBUG') and written by first time film writer Melissa James Gibson. It's a lot more of a downer than it looks like (in the trailers) and isn't really that funny but it is a somewhat interesting character study.

Giamatti plays an ex-convict named Dennis, who just got out of prison in Quebec, Canada. His wife, Therese (Amy Landecker) is now sleeping with another man, Rene (Rudd). She also told their daughter, Michi (Tatyana Richaud), that Dennis was dead. In order to make enough money to buy Michi a piano for Christmas Dennis agree to sell Christmas trees with Rene in New York City. Neither is especially good at the job and it's a big challenge.

For a Christmas movie and a comedy the film is pretty depressing. It's also surprisingly sad considering it stars Paul Giamatti and Paul Rudd. Giamatti does a lot of serious dramas as well as comedies but it's definitely not Rudd's usual thing (it does mark his second quirky indie film this year though, after 'PRINCE AVALANCHE' from a few moths ago). He is his usual dimwitted and easygoing self in it though and you can't help but love him (and root for him) despite his flaws. Giamatti is definitely less likable in the movie and is pretty hard to like but both of their characters have their hearts in the right place. If you're expecting big laughs this isn't the movie for you but it is a decent emotional buddy film.

Watch our movie review show 'MOVIE TALK' at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJalgBjCCrg

In Quebec, thief Dennis (Paul Giamatti) gets out on probation after 4 years in prison. He returns home to unreceptive wife Therese who wishes to marry Rene (Paul Rudd) when he finally divorces his wife. He has no prospects and no place to live. He wants to buy his daughter a piano but has no money. He pushes Dennis to take him to NYC to sell Christmas trees. Olga (Sally Hawkins) buys a tree and Dennis delivers it. He makes more money stealing.

Rudd and Giamatti are good comedic actors when the material is there for them. This is a rambling unfunny story. The duo don't develop good chemistry. Sally Hawkins has a weird Russian accent. With such talented actors, this is a failure of the writing.

I must say for a comedy starring Paul Rudd and Paul Giamatti, then "All Is Bright" was somewhat of a disappointment if you look at the movie from a comedy aspect. Why? Well, because there was almost no comedy here. This was more a drama with some elements of pseudo-comedy thrown into it.

The story is about Dennis (played by Paul Giamatti) who is released from prison, only to find his wife Therese (played by Amy Landecker) having told their daughter that he is dead. And to make matters worse, she is to marry his former partner in crime Rene (played by Paul Rudd). Down on his luck and low on cash, Dennis have to bite the sour apple and go with Rene to New York City to sell Christmas trees.

Now, as much as the story is without comedy that will make you laugh, then the movie is equally stacked with an interesting story that was really well acted by the lead actors, and they really carried the movie quite nicely.

The characters in the movie were well carved out, with lots of depth, personality and characteristics, as odd as they may be. But with the talent of Rudd and Giamatti, then the audience are introduced to two very different characters, that are each individually very likable for better or worse. And together on the screen, their chemistry is just magnificent.

"All Is Bright" is well worth a watch if you enjoy a movie that is something out of the ordinary.

I really liked this film - like many of Paul Giamatti and Paul Rudd's movies. They seem to go for interesting characters and quiet, realistic stories rather than sentimental or violent American claptrap.

It's a movie well worth watching more than once - there are nuances and side remarks I missed out the first time. Don't watch if you are into smartarse one-liners, car chases or beautiful young rich airheads covered in heavy make-up. More reminiscent of British/European films before they started targeting the US market. The characters are neither supergood nor evil - just human and flawed like all of us.

Nice one.