Barefoot (2014)

I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

The movie really just wants to entertain people.

1. "Romantic Comedy," sometimes, little comedy, some romance; 2. It's really not plausible that any woman anywhere could be as dimwitted as the star of this film; 3. It's really not plausible that any guy could relate to a woman who is as dimwitted as the star of this film; 4. OK, some moments of comedy; 5. Reality destroys the "romance" at an inopportune time; 6. Hey, let's go on an RV adventure and little Miss Barefoot is on her own -- wait, the guy has a change of heart -- and saves Miss Barefoot; 7. The RV adventure continues, but, comes to an unfortunate end; 8. I would have stopped watching, but, Miss Barefoot kept my interest.

Barefoot is a different kind rom-com, but it is a rom-com none the less. It uses themes most wouldn't normally think of when writing a rom-com but it works none the less mental health is always a serious issue and remains so in this movie. The main actors in the movie I'd never heard of before but both give strong and convincing performances. I like the story line along with the twist that really makes the movie that much better. I have now watched it somewhere around 10 times and will watch several more times I'm sure. If you want a movie you can watch with your family or to help with the setting for a date night this will work. One of the best I've seen it just works.

I enjoyed the premise of this movie, but it felt like there were pieces missing from the storyline. There wasn't enough backstory on either of the leads, the mother seemed to jump from meeting a stranger to all of a sudden becoming besotted with her, and the films synopsis focused on an arc that was over by the middle of the movie. There is so much that should have been added to the storyline that would made it a bit more likable. The characters were enjoyable, especially Daisy and her naiveté although these characters would have been better received (once again) if the story was fleshed out a bit more. Not a waste of time, but also not a story I'd return to.

Don't look too deeply. This is a movie that wants to be fun and adventurous and a little bit dangerous. If you're in the right mood, you don't need much more than that. Sure it's ridiculous and implausible and poorly edited, and Scott Speedman only has two gears, and the writing is a little off, and the central relationship is a little creepy on several different levels. No matter. This is one of those movies that is touched by the magic of the movies -- maybe not enough to make it great or even good as a movie, but it has a relentless sparkle-eyed charm that makes it pleasant and irrationally satisfying as an experience.