kevingi-1

The premise of this sounded great, and since it is a limited series, I figured, "What the heck?" I have to say that on the whole I was impressed with the show - pacing, intricate plotting, etc. Were all first-rate. However, there are two major issues I have with it:

1 - For the most part, it is very difficult to empathize with many of the characters in this story. In particular, the main character, Harry Venn, is rather coarse and unlikeable. I've not seen Philip Glenister in anything else, so from this one show alone, I have no idea if the man is capable of smiling or not. And almost all of the other characters are equally unlikeable at the very least. Smarmy politicians and sociopathic killers predominate.

2 - There is at least one (if not several) major plot line that is never fully explained. I won't risk a spoiler here by describing it in detail, but trust me, you will feel just as irritated as I did when the show finishes and you're left with a mammoth "Huh?"

All that said, though, it's still a viscerally exciting run of a few hours. I just think they might have invested perhaps one more episode to tie up some of the loose ends.

Both of the stars I give this film are purely for Anna Faris, who, though a thoroughly unsympathetic character in this film, is at least easy on the eyes. Otherwise, I thought this film was mean-spirited and sophomoric from start to finish. I considered walking out on it in the theater, but couldn't bear to admit that I'd just wasted nine bucks plus the price of popcorn and a drink. I had high hopes that, given the depth of talent in the cast, the film would eventually redeem itself. Rogen, Faris, Liotta, and especially Celia Weston, have done *so* many *much* better films that to see them appear together in this bile-filled, misanthropic, mis-directed 'comedy' was very dispiriting. Seth Rogen must have been totally baked on Pineapple Express when he argued for getting this film green-lit.