Featured in IMDb Critic Reviews
 |
| The Vicious Kind (2008) - By Lee Toland Krieger |
IMDb Ratings: 6.9
Guest Reviewer's Rating: 8.5
Genre: Comedy | Drama
Cast: Adam Scott, Brittany Snow, Alex Frost
Country: USA
Language: English
Language: English
Runtime: 92 min
Color: Color
Summary: A man tries to warn his brother away from the new girlfriend he brings home during Thanksgiving, but ends up becoming infatuated with her in the process.
 |
| Adam Scott as Caleb Sinclaire in The Vicious Kind |
This is the second feature from writer/director Lee Toland Krieger and the guy definitely has an ear for natural dialogue that makes this story all of the more believable. These people actually feel like they talk like real people, with real problems, and I could definitely tell exactly why they would all somehow come together in this one story and share each of their emotions. As dramatic and sad I may make it sound, the film is actually still very funny where a lot of dark comedy comes into play, just totally sneaking its way into this film out of nowhere. By the end of course, the laughs go away but it's the way Krieger made this flick bounce and move with his comedy, that really made it work. It's just like as if Labute wrote this one, but without Aaron Eckhart anywhere to be seen.
 |
| Brittany Snow as Emma in The Vicious Kind |
But with all of these little, indie flicks about dysfunctional families, we can all expect the same thing here but it's what really is underneath the surface is what sets it apart and makes it all the more special. This film talks plenty about how plenty of people out there can hurt us without ever realizing they are doing so, just because they are fulfilling their needs and doing what it is that they want to do. This comes into play many, many times in the story and we see how all of these people interact with each other, without ever trying to hurt each other, as hard as that may be. Yet, what's so painful to watch is how many times they actually do whether it's totally in their control or not.
Make no mistake about it though, the movie doesn't just downright depress the hell out of you and show you that humans are cruel, unlikable beings. In a way, it somehow touched me on an emotional level by the end where we see this story not only come full-circle, but the characters finally go through a few revelations on their own time. As terribly mean-spirited this movie may have been for a good portion of it, when it ends, there is still some light of hope and happiness to be found. Well, for some characters of course. Others, well, they weren't so lucky and you'll just have to see why, to understand why.
What really took me by storm with this flick was Adam Scott's breakthrough performance as Caleb Sinclaire. After watching and falling head over heels for him in Parks and Recreation, I've began to realize, once again, that Scott has got some real talent behind all of the stammering and stuttering he does on as Ben Wyatt. But what surprised me more than anything, was how damn well he had this dark-soul down. Caleb, right from the start, is a guy you can tell has something big and difficult going on inside of his head, but rather than letting it all out, talking to certain person about it, and getting help, he just takes all of his frustration out on others either by yelling at them, telling them how terrible of a person they are, or calling them names, or, well, you get the picture. Basically, this guy is an a-hole, but a very messed up one that you feel like could do right in this world if he just wasn't so damn angry all the time, chill out, lie down, and get some sleep for once. Scott shows that he can pull this kind of dickhead character off, but also be looked as very likable just because of the way he handles himself and how you can tell that there's something still very endearing about him beneath all of the anger and hate.
 |
| Alex Frost as Peter Sinclaire in The Vicious Kind |
 |
| Adam Scott and Brittany Snow in The Vicious Kind |
 |
| A Still from The Vicious Kind |
Another surprise performance here was Brittany Snow as Caleb's little bro's girlfriend, Emma. Snow is an actress we don't see much of (unless it's the constant re-runs of The Pacifier on USA) but she shows that with whatever she can do, she can bring out the best in her character and make you not only interested in her, but wondering what it is that she'll do next. Because of Caleb, you think that this chick is a terrible whore that cheated on her boyfriend just for this one kid, but little do we know that she's as sweet as they come and is just as innocent as Caleb's brother in the first place. Or, so we think. Alex Frost plays the brother, Peter, and seems like a very nice and innocent kid that just wants to have his first love regardless of what is going on in his big bro's life. Nothing else to really say about him other than the fact that his brother was a way better character, but that isn't a hit on Frost's acting, it's just how the character was written. Also, J.K. Simmons is here as their father, Donald, and shows why he can pretty much do no wrong with whatever film it is that they throw him in.
 |
| A Still from The Vicious Kind |
Some of it may go towards being predictable by the end, but nonetheless, The Vicious Kind works with a very smart, very emotional, and overall strong script that gets heightened by the cast that's working their chops around here in this small-time indie.
About Author -
This author of this post is Dan O'Neill who writes at Dan the Man's Movie Reviews. The views expressed by the author are personal.
Readers, please feel free to share your opinion by leaving your comments. As always your feedback is highly appreciated!
For more information on the title, please click on the following links:
Previous Post: School 2013 (2012) (TV Series)
Next Post: Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
Complete List of Reviews
Next Post: Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
Complete List of Reviews
People who liked this also liked...
0 comments:
Post a Comment
Thanks for sharing for valuable opinion. We would be delighted to have you back.