The We and the I (2012)
On the last day of school, a group of teenagers experience petty jealousies, bullying, and sexual insecurities. In other words, it’s a typical day for an adolescent finding their way in the world.
The problem is, I didn’t care about any of the characters. Most of them were broad stereotypes or obvious subversions of stereotypes, like the tough black boy who’s actually a sensitive artist.
Eight years after giving us the wildly creative Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004), Michael Gondry inexplicably gives us this uninspired waste of time which can’t figure out what it wants to say, so it decides to say everything at once, on one bus ride.
Ernest and Celestine (2012)
When a young mouse, Celestine (Mackenzie Foy), befriends the bear Ernest (Forest Whitaker), it challenges the conventions of both societies.
Most contemporary animation is full of bright, clean colors, but this film is composed of muted hues and looks like a moving watercolor painting.
The English voice cast is superb featuring Paul Giamatti, William H. Macey, married couple Nick Offerman and Megan Mullaly, and the legendary Lauren Bacall, in one of her final roles.
This simple, beautiful film is so lovingly crafted it carries you along in a wave of nostalgia for a forgotten time when a friend was the only thing you needed.
I am Sam (2001)
Single father Sam Dawson (Sean Penn) struggles to do what’s best for his young daughter, Lucy (Dakota Fanning). In addition to the normal challenges of parenthood, Sam has an additional obstacle, he’s mentally challenged.
Sean Penn was rewarded with an Academy Award nomination, but unfortunately his performance violates a cardinal, unspoken rule.
He’s convincing, but occasionally drifts into an unfortunate caricature. The movie unwisely asks us to root for Sam to be with his daughter in spite of his clear incompetence, arrogantly assuming his biological relationship with Lucy trumps any other consideration for her welfare.
Michele Pfeiffer does what she can as Rita Williams, Sam’s attorney; Dakota Fanning shows why she would soon be an in demand young actress; Diane Wiest is engaging as Annie Cassell, a character witness called to testify on Sam’s behalf; and Laura Dern is likable as Randy Carpenter, Lucy’s potential foster parent, but the central performance is too outlandish and drags the rest of the film down.
The best thing about this movie are the performances of Brad Silverman and Joe Rosenberg as Sam’s best friends. These two gentleman suffer from mental disabilities and their authentic performances highlight the farce of Penn’s.
Roger Ebert’s review is correct. This is a well-made, morally bankrupt film.