100 movies: Everybody’s Fine

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100 movies of 2012

Every year I set myself a target, usually of about 100, of films to watch. These are new films. Not new, new films. But films that are new to me. Any time I’ve seen a new one, I post a bit of a brain dump of my thoughts on the film here. Enjoy!

Everybody's FineEverybody’s Fine (14/03/12)

A widower who realized his only connection to his family was through his wife sets off on an impromptu road trip to reunite with each of his grown children.

This film really made me feel sad. Sad for Frank. And also acutely aware that Frank reminded me a lot of my dad and in turn, his children reminded me a lot of my brother and I. Which, in context of the film, made me feel even more sad! There’s not a huge lot to feel happy about watching the film.

Aside from the sad feelings, to me, the film was just ok. Not all that memorable. It wasn’t all that engaging while I was watching it. My mind did wander. Right now, trying to figure out what to say about it, is proving tricky too!

Robert De Niro’s great – you really do feel for Frank and the situation he’s found himself in with his children. I did love the scene where Frank was talking to his kids in his “vision”, realising all the things he already knew about his children.

It’s got a nice warm and fuzzy ending but it’s just so forgettable I can’t really rate it that highly.
Rating: 2/5

Read on to see all the films watched this year…

20 Films so far this year

  1. The Tourist 1/5 (02/01/12)
  2. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo 5/5 (03/01/12)
  3. World’s Greatest Dad 2/5 (14/01/12)
  4. Haywire 3/5 (19/01/12)
  5. Dead Snow 3/5 (20/01/12)
  6. The Artist 5/5 (21/01/12)
  7. Priest 2/5 (05/02/12)
  8. The Muppets 5/5 (15/02/12)
  9. Faster 4/5 (19/02/12)
  10. Chronicle 4/5 (22/02/12)
  11. Safe House 4/5 (24/02/12)
  12. Reservoir Dogs 4/5 (25/02/12)
  13. This Means War 4/5 (02/03/12)
  14. The Royal Tenenbaums 3/5 (03/03/12)
  15. Reign of Fire 3/5 (04/03/12)
  16. Dear John 2/5 (04/03/12)
  17. Road to Perdition 5/5 (05/03/12)
  18. The Three Musketeers 3/5 (06/03/12)
  19. The Eagle 2/5 (10/03/12)
  20. Everybody’s Fine 2/5 (14/03/12)

8 Comments

  1. Jaina, Well I guess it is good news that De Niro did not mail this one in. It seems to me like he has been doing that a lot lately. Based on your review this looks like a pass for me. I was sort of suspecting that anyway based on the trailer and word of mouth.

    • I can’t remember the last time I really enjoyed a De Niro film. Even one of his more recent films, Limitless, he was pretty much not there. Well guess, he’s made his money!

  2. At one point, I almost watched this film, but couldn’t get myself to do it. It didn’t seem interesting enough. Unfortunately, this doesn’t surprise me. It sounds like De Niro’s been playing an estranged father again – this year “Being Flynn” came out, but I have yet to see it.

    • I had it recorded on my box a couple of times, then deleted more. I was hoping for it to have a bit more heart. It’s just a bit too stark.

      De Niro trying to pigeon hole his way out of the comedy father days?

  3. Personally I think there’s something that resonates past the, as you call it, “fuzzy ending”. The themes don’t have to pluck heartstrings or be rammed down your throat to be effective. I guess I took more away from it because I found the story similar to my personal experiences…and my dad kind of looks like De Niro:P

    Here’s a suggestion, check out ‘City Island’ (which also kind of rings home for me). That might be a little more enjoyable, if not any more memorable. But only if you’ve got a free Saturday or some down time.

    • I’ll check that one out Marc. Thanks for the recommendation.

      I do agree that things don’t need to be rammed down your throat in order for you to take something away from the film, but for me here, it was a little too detached. The ending a little too neat with the happy family at Christmas.

  4. Seems like this movie is for DeNiro’s diehard fans, which I’m not one. Like Kristin said, didn’t seem interesting enough.

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