Binder is charming in a bewildered American stereotypical sort of way and Garofalo is excellent as his wife. When I’d heard about the film, I thought it was a neat idea to take on British comedy by Americanizing it. Rickman and Stephenson (who starred together in one of my all-time favorite movies, Truly, Madly, Deeply), are fun, with Rickman really stealing the movie as the insane Gissing. But where British comedic films temper broad comedy with irony and aridly dry humor, this film was just too broad, too unrealistic, and too predictable for my taste.
No one in the film, from the protagonist Barnes to the corporate executives (including a French CEO) and to the wily John Gissing himself is very bright. Well, except maybe Linda, who is in nearly perpetual foot-tapping “pissy” mode, just wanting to leave the madness and go home. I’m with her.
The DVD includes several extras, including Binder’s commentary, and outtakes from the film.
Article comments
1 - Veresna
I just had to comment that I adore Alan Rickman as well, originally used to watch Sense and Sensibility to sigh over him, and now get double the pleasure now that I am gaga over Hugh Laurie as well. I think it helped that a substantial number of Rickman fans petitioned Binder to release the film on DVD after it failed to find a distributor for theatrical release. Glad I got the chance to see it, but definitely one where some good parts don't add up to a consistently good movie.