i have a lot of respect for the acting skills of toni collette
she has owned every character since playing muriel way back
similarly thomas haden church - unforgettable as jack in sideways
together in this film that despite them is not winning over the critics
i like the concept though - jaded rock journalist chasing a big story
though one reviewer suggesting female writers badly represented
the first scene sees ellie (collette) being dumped by another muso
i like sleeping with you and all that but i need something more
she storms out and heads home - passing a busker on the way
drops her card but no cash - ah - we'll be seeing more of him
next day at her work - stax magazine - her boss has a job for her
write a story on what happened to famous singer matthew smith
coincidentally he was her boyfriend 10 years prior then disappeared
she clearly not over him and possibly why she struggles romantically
the busker re-appears - he pursues ellie for her looks or possibly her job
he's a good-looker, talented but cougar territory for ellie and she resists
you're a man and a musician - both toxic for me - nothing personal
at a nearby bar she knocks back whiskey neat and chats to her friend
she says either do the story or quit - i can't quit - my job is all i have
and in wanders another old boyfriend - nerdy charlie (haden church)
be-spectacled and be-moustached and with quite a unique personality
haden church totally hamming up the drollness of the likeable charlie
we're about 15 minutes in and i'm thinking - the critics got it wrong
some great acting and some very good character development here
with that we have a story that is both believable and quite enticing
turns out charlie is very wealthy so offers to help ellie with the hunt
in his latest indulgence he wants to be a documentary film maker
buys a large mobile home and the latest camera and starts filming
the project - ellie's quest to resolve the mystery of matthew smith
she weakens and gives in to lucas the busker and they hit it off
we know it's going to end badly though with the warning signs
i didn't know you had a son - a snide comment from her boss
ellie and charlie work well together on the road - as do the actors
i keep looking at ellie and see in her the truth of a spurned woman
she is so attractive and vivacious but is quite lost - let down by men
and as for charlie - his big heart but shallowness surely also a symbol
he falls for a younger woman, proposes and plans a quick wedding
unlikely maybe but it happens and this film is about human foibles
in another sub-plot ellie has used her contacts to help out lucas
a recording deal offered but a trip to l a - see you at the wedding
charlie shows ellie the unique present for his animal-loving bride
a galapagos marsupial - needs no partner - lucky them says ellie
lucas doesn't show and the animal dies - so not a happy wedding
she hits the bottle and beds a guest - next morning lucas walks in
kind of shallow but there is empathy for ellie - she does life hard
her and charlie then follow some clues and track down matthew
he seen repairing a fence - long hair, beanie, overalls, anonymous
and whoa - shock - johnny depp plays the part - perfect casting
ellie then seen in meltdown mode at seeing the love of her life
toni collette - an amazing scene - maybe a real life meltdown?
whatever - a stunning climax to this funny yet clever drama
it wraps up quite neatly - nothing too happily-ever-after
but as with the rest of it - well balanced and executed
wow - very much enjoyed this film - and the moral
don't listen to critics - trust your instinct...
