Prime (2005)

The Worst Film Ever

Thanks for the memories!

The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

Rafi Gardet (Uma Thurman) is a tired divorced 37-year-old Manhattan career woman. She begins a romance with 24-year-old painter David Bloomberg (Bryan Greenberg). Her therapist Lisa Metzger (Meryl Streep) approves of her new happiness with a younger man. Only Lisa doesn't know that it's her son David. She isn't as approving of a non-Jewish girlfriend for David. Eventually she makes the connection. It's a minefield of questionable professional ethics and moral ambiguity.It's a slow romantic indie start and then it introduces a fascinating premise. It's got the Streep monster and Uma Thurman is also a great actress. Greenberg is light weight by comparison. The movie tries to be a New York quirky comedy but Greenberg doesn't have the charisma or the comic chops. He's not much more than a simple boy toy. Uma isn't funny either although Streep is brilliant as always. The couple needs sharper dialog for stronger chemistry. I want this to be good for Streep's sake but I was bored.

"Prime" is a film that has been successful in Brazil back when released, and I remember seeing it when I was much younger. The storyline invented for this flick is very creative and original; there are very good scenes written over this psychoanalyst and patient relationship, due to the embarrassing moments the professional gets into. The character of Meryl Streep is just GREAT, as always... Is she always given good characters or does she turn them great? Anyway, Lisa Metzger happens to be a sincere psychologist, who carries the soul of a mother. Bryan Greenberg does a great in job in portraying David, thanks to his spontaneous way of acting. Photography and overall directing aren't anything marvelous, and so isn't the soundtrack, but the performances and the embarrassing- hilarious plot are what turn "Prime" into a delightful and entertaining picture to be seen. However, it could've still been better, if we didn't have those situations that only happen in Hollywood movies, like meeting the one you just broke up with in the market in a 8 million population city. Oh, and for some reason, it felt occasionally overlong to me, albeit being only 105 minutes long, the only reason why I don't give it a better rating.

I initially thought this movie was gonna be a slap stick sort of comedy with physical humour - you know those types of comedies you're so used to seeing Sandra Bullock play in. And she was meant to star in this - well I can say I am happy she didn't especially if she was going to turn it into her usual formula, because Uma Thurman pulls this off very well.This film deals with the issues of women dating much younger men and what it takes for the relationship to work. It also deals with issues such as how a therapist should deal with their patient when it comes to personal issues that involve both of them directly.David Bloomberg (Bryan Greenberg) is 23 years old and starts seeing Rafi (Uma Thurman) despite not knowing she is 37 years old. While they both agree that they can try things out, things get a little complicated when his mother, Lisa (Meryl Streep) discovers that his son is dating her patient, Rafi. So Lisa has the ethical dilemma of looking out for her son and also looking out for her patient.It's a fun premise, and it gets clever in exploring some issues that are apparent in society. Such as, what does it take to actually become a man, what do older women want in men and also when should parents, and in this case, traditional mothers let go of their kids so they can make their own choices.I thoroughly enjoyed this film and the performances were overall fine. Uma Thurman is just beautiful and Bryan Greenberg makes a good match for her and have on screen chemistry. Streep is decent as usual and is just one of those actresses who you can imagine can play anyone when she puts her mind into it.I also liked the fact that this doesn't follow the same sort of formula that most romantic comedies do. While some may think this initially as a chick flick, it really isn't because it mainly gives the point of view of the guy in this situation. He is the central character.*****MINOR SPOILER********** It also gives a good message at the end, that despite two people loving each other regardless of cultural or age difference, sometimes love may not be enough to keep two people together. There is just that time in your life when you reach your 'prime' so in this case, it is David who is at his prime in terms of sexual discovery, intimacy and finding out how to slowly become a man with responsibilities.I would have liked them to explore Rafi's character more in terms of her motivations etc. We get to see David's family and everything, but we don't really get to know a lot about her history etc. All we know is that she just got divorced, but why didn't it work out? They could have developed that aspect a lot more, but I guess the main reason is to explore David's motivations rather than hers. But it could have been more interesting if they had taken it down that road as well.This is a good film that doesn't take itself too seriously, nor does it dwelve into unintelligent meanings. Well worth a look!

The premise: In this tragicomedy, a psychotherapist finds out her 23-year old son is dating her 37-year old patient. And the headstrong mother in her goes into an overdrive. Well, almost.Go see it for: * Meryl Streep - the mother: She has just the right frowns when her son tells her about his girl er.. woman rather. And she retorts just as a mother would when he begins to take things in his own hand.* Meryl Streep - the therapist: She's even better. Watch her trying to cling to composure as she gets to know intimate details about her son. And observe her erupt silently in spurts and then disguise it all as professionalism. All this, with an ease that makes her job look deceptively simple.* Uma Thurman: This body beautiful makes for a patient wonderful. As the 37-year old divorcée, she injects just the right pessimism, just enough zest, and just enough verve into her role.* The plot: Let's say it's a slice of life that's without the icing and the chocolate. You don't want it because it's not nice to look at, but you have to taste it for it's life all the same.Don't bother about:Bryan Greenberg: He's handsome. He can barely act. He's goodlooking. He can barely talk. He's a bloke. Actually, he's apt for the role. For the role doesn't demand much.Watch it with: * The date majoring in psychology: Chances are 1:- The date will be impressed or 2:- The date will whip out Freud and a dozen textbooks to tell you why the treatment was wrong. Well, either shut up and blush (if chance 1 materializes) or make him/her shut up and watch(if chance 2 comes true). * Mothers: But do be prepared to hear : "See? See? see what she's saying! After all, we know!"Anything else? Oh yes, Sandra Bullock almost played Uma Thurman's character. However, she wanted script changes. Ben (the director) did not agree. So she walked out. And that indeed is a pity.