I'm writing this post-Oscars slap, but my review is NOT about that. (The slap was awful, but the movie should be treated separately.)
I give it 4 stars because it was "okay" -- not terrible. But not good. And while I don't recall being particularly bored, I also recall thinking, "Wow, this movie was made JUST so Will Smith could get an Oscar." It just had that feel to it.
His acting, far from masterful, was actually distracting. It was like being in the presence of someone who's just trying too hard to impress you -- and I wasn't impressed. Another reviewer said he played the role like an SNL character or something, and I totally agree. It was very affected, not genuine at all.
Further, the story itself lacked a compelling narrative. The Williams' sisters story, to be clear, IS compelling. But the movie is not telling their story. It's telling the story of their overbearing, always-right, not very interesting father who is not very interesting (in my opinion at least) because he is living vicariously through two daughters who he sees as a proxy to a level of fame and fortune that perhaps he had always wanted.
In any case, the entire movie was in NO way worthy of any Oscars. It was bland. It wasn't terrible, but in no way was it memorable. I watched it once, a month or so ago, and have no interest in watching it again. I don't mean to take away from the Williams sisters' story at all, but the movie didn't do it justice.
Smith winning an Oscar for this role really makes me question Hollywood (I know I sound naive -- but some part of me still HOPES there is some honesty and sincerity, and actual regard for art there?). Personally, I think he deserved an Oscar for The Pursuit of Happyness, which was a FAR better film in every way, and a better performance from him, and particularly in comparison with that movie, this one is a stinker.
I give it 4 stars because it was "okay" -- not terrible. But not good. And while I don't recall being particularly bored, I also recall thinking, "Wow, this movie was made JUST so Will Smith could get an Oscar." It just had that feel to it.
His acting, far from masterful, was actually distracting. It was like being in the presence of someone who's just trying too hard to impress you -- and I wasn't impressed. Another reviewer said he played the role like an SNL character or something, and I totally agree. It was very affected, not genuine at all.
Further, the story itself lacked a compelling narrative. The Williams' sisters story, to be clear, IS compelling. But the movie is not telling their story. It's telling the story of their overbearing, always-right, not very interesting father who is not very interesting (in my opinion at least) because he is living vicariously through two daughters who he sees as a proxy to a level of fame and fortune that perhaps he had always wanted.
In any case, the entire movie was in NO way worthy of any Oscars. It was bland. It wasn't terrible, but in no way was it memorable. I watched it once, a month or so ago, and have no interest in watching it again. I don't mean to take away from the Williams sisters' story at all, but the movie didn't do it justice.
Smith winning an Oscar for this role really makes me question Hollywood (I know I sound naive -- but some part of me still HOPES there is some honesty and sincerity, and actual regard for art there?). Personally, I think he deserved an Oscar for The Pursuit of Happyness, which was a FAR better film in every way, and a better performance from him, and particularly in comparison with that movie, this one is a stinker.