Manny Lewis (2015)

Thanks for the memories!

Sadly Over-hyped

True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.

It’s sentimental, ridiculously long and only occasionally funny

Having seen this movie twice says a lot about how good this Aussie comedy flick is, because life's too short to watch bad movies repeatedly...especially when there's so many to choose from. Carl Barron's story is one a lot of performers can relate to. In this movie the hero speaks to thousands nightly on stage or TV, but doesn't cope as well in one on one situations whether it's with his dad, the local Bar man his manager or girls. Like his apartment it makes you happy when u c Sydney Harbour or sad when u c the city.

Sure it's a predictable Romantic Comedy, but it felt less contrived and more real, especially the first half. It's no Hollywood blockbuster but was such a joy to watch and seemed more authentic. Until the usual rom-com ending but that's always expected so it wasn't so bad. Also, in a way, it was a bit deeper than I expected as it touched on that everyday dreary misery and loneliness and how the cycle can be played out in normal situations. Also on past hurts and how that can create a twist in us, especially when things aren't going are way. Although these weren't heavily explored it definitely added depth to the characters and allowed me to connect with them so much more than i expected. Carl's acting is great and the humour isn't over the top. The leading lady was gorgeous but also played perfectly and not exaggerated and exhausting, but just quirky and simple and although there was no backstory to her, there was enough to care for her character. The music was also great with a favourite of mine by husky in there. Short and sweet, it leaves you with a smile!

I think we Americans, have become too jaded, by being fed a constant barrage of films without much substance. I mean, when is the last time that you came out of a screening, not only feeling better than good about the world, but really happy about the investment of just 89 Minutes? This was such a film. Although the film is based on a fictional character, a comedian, who also writes novels, we, immediately bond with the protagonist, and find ourselves living in his world, happily. I know men who would give up their right (you pick the body part) to have what this guy has, already, despite being brought up by a father who was a "martinet", at best, and a mother who committed suicide when he was just a boy. You know how you were rewarded at the end of "Love Actually"? When everybody gets what you hoped they deserved? This is such a film! It's a chick-flick for guys, that are in touch with their ying-yang, and know a good woman when they meet one. Admittedly, I've been looking for a woman like our female lead, all my life. That's why I give this film a TEN!

The film was done very well, considering that sometimes, lower Australian production values can impact certain areas of the film, with this film, no such issues. It was an interesting film that told an interesting story about a stand up comedian, and I believe it was done in such a way that it adds some perspective to the fact that our favourite comedians are people too, and that a lot of the humour in our lives comes at laughing at the expense of others, and often with stand up comedians, at themselves. This is a message that is hammered home throughout, and was overall, very heartwarmingly told.The acting was superb, and the dialogue was hilarious, a few subtle jokes for fans of Carl's stand up. Though it told a real and good story, it was still executed very comedically and was very funny. Though the story may in some cases appear to have some clichéd elements to it (the loss of the 10th star in my opinion), that would be up to an individual viewer to determine, and for others I watched the film with, they found it no issue, and sometimes were surprised, expecting clichés in some places.Overall, well worth a watch, not only for fans of Carl Barron, but because it is quite a funny movie.