All Is Bright (2013)
Starring: Paul Giamatti, Paul Rudd, Sally Hawkins
Writer: Melissa James Gibson
Director: Phil Morrison
Synopsis (Anchor Bay):
Lie, cheat, steal...it's all part of
the holiday spirit for ex-con Dennis and fast talker Rene when they
try to make a quick buck selling Christmas trees in New York. For
Dennis it's a chance to go straight, and for his best friend and
partner-in-crime, Rene, it's a chance to make some easy cash so he
can marry Dennis' ex-wife. But for two not-very-bright guys now stuck
together on the cold streets of Brooklyn, this holiday season man
bring some of the most unexpected miracles of all.
Review:
All Is Bright is actually quite good if
you can get past how much of a downer the story is. It's noted as a
Drama/Dark Comedy. There's plenty of drama, for sure. But if you want
to consider it a Dark Comedy, you had better paint it as dark as it
can get. I can see certain areas are meant to be funny, but they are
sewn into a narrative so sad that they make you feel that much more
sorry for the characters, other than laugh at them. I wouldn't
recommend watching All Is Bright after your dog died or some shit,
unless you are a weirdo like me and occasionally enjoy wallowing on
your couch in a ball of pity. This movie bravely displays that not
all is well for everyone around the holidays.
I can sit here and chat it up about how
well shot the film is, but its two main successes are the story and
the acting. Melissa James Gibson has created great despair. It's easy
to identify with, even for those of us who have never stolen so much
as a stick of gum. The character Dennis goes through some downright
awful tribulations, from the moment he shows back up at home after
being put on parole. Actually, events go sour before that, but it's
really thick once we get to that point, and from there on out. It's
not a matter of whether the character can learn to live an honest
life; it's about being able to feel downright awful for him even if
he can't. Paul Giamatti is absolutely perfect in the role. He grasps
onto the anguish of his character and makes it believable and
painful.
Paul Rudd is one of those actors who I
often find enjoyable even when he's in films that I generally don't
care for. His role in All Is Bright isn't all that far removed from
characters he's portrayed in more straight-up comedies, but the theme
of this picture makes for a great juxtaposition. He plays Rene, who
kind of comes off carefree and lighthearted. When he's put into
rotten situations, another part of him bleeds through, and Rudd
steals these moments. That being said, Rudd and Giamatti together are
pretty fantastic. The characters are of a similar past, but the
people they are differ greatly. I also completely fell in love with
the character, Olga (Sally Hawkins), a New Yorker who befriends
Dennis after buying a Christmas tree from him. She's absolutely
adorable and not afraid to speak vulgarities at anyone. Olga is really
sincere and I applaud Sally Hawkins for the performance.
Final Thoughts:
Ultimately, All Is Bright may not be a
film that compels you to put a big smile on your face and spread
yuletide cheer, but the unapologetic sadness is where the film's
magic is. It's not sugarcoated and it doesn't feel
for being the way it is. That pretty much makes it a win for me. If I
were to make a list of Christmas movies to watch all in one day, I
probably wouldn't follow up Home Alone with All Is Bright, though. Just
sayin'.
- Eric (Brobocop)
