Kodachrome (2017)

So much average

Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

Clever, believable, and super fun to watch. It totally has replay value.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

'Kodachrome' isn't going to win any awards for originality. The family cross-country road trip story has been done before, often better than this. The hook: Ben (Ed Harris), a world-famous photographer, is terminal. Before he dies, he wants to drive from New York to Parsons, Kansas to develop old rolls of Kodachrome film that he's been saving for years. Accompanying him are his nurse Zoe (Elizabeth Olsen) and his estranged son Matt (Jason Sudeikis), who reluctantly agrees to join and only does so because he wants to meet with a band in Chicago and convince them to sign with his label. Each of the three have their demons. Ben is an insufferable jerk, Matt is divorced and dysfunctional, Zoe is also divorced and dysfunctional. But they're all together by choice, so they're still trying.If you think you can tell where this is going, you're probably right. Pretty much scene-by-scene it's predictable. This certainly lessens the impact, but the performances and dialogue will keep you engaged. Credit goes to the actors and the writers for making these characters and relationships feel lived in and real. The tension and acrimony between father and son showcase themselves almost immediately. Their dialogue cuts deeply, and the cruelty of the barbs they exchange startles. Zoe plays the role of conscience, doing her best to help these two hard-headed boys settle their differences before it's too late. As soon as Matt puts his sword away and begins to show a lighter side, Zoe notices, and the viewers notice her noticing. Again, it's not hard to predict where any of this is going.Zoe's character is frustratingly underwritten and underused. But the Matt and Ben relationship is well executed. The hostility feels real and so does the longing to connect, despite what has happened in the past. The film offers some mixed messages about letting go of the past, which haunts each of the main characters in some way. A crucial monologue urges them to move forward, yet they're driving across the country to develop old film and preserve old photos. It's also ironic that a movie that romanticizes film is streaming on Netflix. This film has meaningful messages to share, even if it's not entirely clear about everything it's saying. If you don't mind a formulaic family drama with moving and warm moments, this movie isn't a bad pick.

This should be under the "must see" films before you die films! I watched it on the plane coming home from a vacation seeing some of the family abroad and somehow everything fell into place while reflecting on my time away and watching this remarkable film. The title says it all. The technology of our society says it all. The power of what one man's struggle to save his final masterpiece says it all... All the actors are to be praised, but the goosebumps literally came from Ed Harris! I've always been partial to some of his mean stream characters/labels in other movies, but as he has done before, he's proved his harsh screened tough guy scenes, but the soft, humbleness that comes out of his art, are just as, if not more more brilliant! You feel it all in this power ride movie of music, film, photography, love misunderstandings and family. It brought me to tears on many occasions, well I guess I'm at that age. My wife who was sitting next to me knew without her even knowing anything about the film that this is one for me! And again, it was, it is. Sensitive or not it'll make you smile, laugh, cry, rewind in awe. I'll be watching this one again very soon, no doubt! I take my hat off to the Analogue era of self reliance...xx With love and peace//Jim Andrew Georgiades

Sometimes a film that doesn't mess with the formula fly's by thanks to its charms, smarts and loveably on-song cast, Netflix's Kodachrome is one of those such film experiences.A road trip movie that centres around dysfunctional father and son duo, Jason Sudeikis's failing music manager Matt and Ed Harris's dying photographer Ben and all round meanie Ben, with the addition of Elizabeth Olsen's caring nurse Zoe, as the trio set-off to get Ben's Kodachrome film rolls developed before the dying technology is exterminated, Kodachrome is one of those films that you will have figured out from about 5 minutes in, but it really doesn't matter thanks to its execution and pitch-perfect delivery from its cast.As the mismatched trio set forth on their adventure to Kansas City, we're treated to some fantastically realised and often rather poignant character driven moments, stemming from Matt and Ben's complicated father and son relationship and Ben's increasing feelings towards Olsen's troubled yet compassionate and likeable Zoe.Director Mark Raso keeps things moving at a steady pace as Kodachrome refuses to linger to long in any one place and while never going too deep into the backstories of these relatable characters, we get to know just enough about each of them to ensure that Kodachrome will be watched without a dry eye in the room.Kodachrome's ability to draw out real and tangible feelings from its audience is thanks largely to its aforementioned cast members and while Sudeikis is as good as his ever been as the troubled Ben, its Harris and Olsen that steal the show here.Relishing the chance to get cantankerous, Harris is a blast as the hard to love but hard to hate Ben while Olsen further establishes herself as one of the most likeable and watchable actresses working in the industry today with another fine turn as Zoe.It seems at present that the sibling of Mary-Kate and Ashley can truly do no wrong.Final Say - With great turns from its cast members, a toe-tapping soundtrack and a strong emotional core, Kodachrome is a road-trip worth taking and despite its long foreshadowed ending and adherence to the rulebook, this is one of the best Netflix films to find its way into our households (or cinemas as is the case in Australia) this year.4 thrown away cassette tapes out of 5

There's a saying that actor is only as good as the given material. Then again, sometimes good actors elevate an otherwise solid but unremarkable screenplay to new level.This is certainly the case with "Kodachrome", a road movie / family drama set during the final days of the classic photo development system known as Kodachrome.A genius photographer father (Ed Harris), his secretary (Elizabeth Olsen) and son (Jason Sudeikis) take a road trip in order to develop photographs at the last Kodachrome lab before it closes its doors for good, and try to settle old scores along the way.I know, the plot summary is not terribly inviting but mere words can't convey attractive atmosphere and quality acting which are definitely the aces in the sleeve here.Speaking about the leads, I was counting on Harris and Olsen giving good performances, I consider them among the most interesting actors of their respective generations. What took me as a surprise was how good Jason Sudeikis is at the central position.Sure, he has a lot of experience - but witnessing a comedian offering a really memorable serious role is still relatively rare. Especially counting the instances when the movie was rather good too.(For example, Eddie Murphy is markedly better "serious actor" than the works that he chooses to prove it in, such as "Holy Man" or "Mr. Church".)"Kodachrome" is probably not gonna be the breakthrough that gets Sudeikis noticed as a bona fide movie star - the project is too small for that - but he (and it) deserves the recognition.He's great as this acerbic guy always ready to sting, which is different from his usual bland good guy persona in movies. Harris's role is an interesting, chaning support for that - also stingy but with some added hidden evil.And I just love Elizabeth Olsen in this (as usual, actually). She feels so authentic, straightforward and "in the moment" that her performance becomes a soothing, invigorating counterpart to two men's that is so desperately needed, both by the characters and the movie as a whole.She's like the perfect embodiment of feminine energy as described in relationships guru David Deida's works: radiant, alive, enlivening, relaxing, and moving.Without all this, there would be less to write and admire about in "Kodachrome". The story doesn't take risks creatively, preferring to stay firmly "middle of the road". Sadly, one can't expect much originality from a Netflix project. (In Estonia, only available in cinemas, btw.)But, as mentioned above, there is something to be said about the strong acting bringing out the best of the material.Harris, Olsen, and Sudeikis win with their committedness and earnestness, which compensates for the danger of the movie becoming too "cute" for its own good (an usual problem with mainstream approach).Dialogue is rather sharp too, well balanced between sounding authentic and corny. This is a rather great feat in the age of "Facebook deep" where we read so many great sayings in social media that it makes us kind of jaded towards even the greatest spiritual wisdoms.All in all, if the authors had avoided some chances to make the movie more sugary, I would given it even higher score of 8/10. Luckily, the excessive sentimentality only comes to play near the end and in relatively short bursts.So one can still recommend "Kodachrome" as family drama with strong acting. Yes, it's mainstream, but so what?