Camera Store (2017) User Reviews

Character Development - in Conflict !

[caspian1978 · 5/10 · 26 October 2018]

With brilliant Actors like John Rhys-Davies and John Larroquette, how can a movie miss? Easily. With that said, Camera Store is one missed opportunity after another. The collection of f-words throughout the movie is evidence of a cast attempting to work with a script with several holes in it. The story-line as well as the character development of the cast both lack substance. The audience finds themselves asking the question: who is the main character of this movie half way through. The first obstacle is to get passed the first 15 minutes of the movie. It's hard to see what the main plot of the movie is until it is too late. Supporting characters come and go and intersect with the central characters, not as comic relief but as part of the overall plot that falls short time and time again. The audience is trapped in a movie that they feel obligated to watch since they are roped into watching. Once we learn of the character's back story, if any, we are left not caring since none of the characters are believable let alone appealing. The idea that every photo has a negative side may be the premise of the movie, but in the end, who cares? Camera Store tries to be something that it is not. Scenes from a Mall, or a real depiction / Cassavetes like story, this movie is not. Much like the movie's poster, the genre is not properly depicted. Looking more like a Spy / Film Noir thriller, Camera Store has elements of comedy, but is far from a comedy. A weird drama type / low budget movie that depicts characters with no beginning, middle or end. In the end, Camera Store tries to be a "hit or miss" movie that is only for a certain type of audience. It is that reason alone that makes Camera Store a miss. Secondly, the motivation of every character in the story is questioned since we are looking at both the positive and negative, the real and the fake sides of the characters. Sounds good on paper, but on film, it's mostly negative.

Not bad at all

[glangendoen · 6/10 · 25 June 2017]

This is really a drama film, when you've bitten through the first 15 minutes (with a lot of swearing), a nice story unfolds. I began to sympathize with the main characters,(they were uncertain what next year would bring). And of course the nice twist a the end (2 actually). Of course this is my opinion, but it was not that bad at all.

Like Looking Through A Lens Backwards

[tesswysko · 5/10 · 14 September 2019]

I forced myself to watch this whole movie, which felt like a mash up of 4 different stories, 4 planets revolving around John Larroquette, who was packed tighter than a stick of dynamite. The movie was odd and uncomfortable to watch, even though it had a stellar cast, the premise COULD have been GREAT, but the writers KILLED it by making everything so desperately awful by making it about people hopelessly in dead - end jobs that they can't get out of, but worse than that, they are oon Christmas Eve working in a tax write- off store being told to not sell because they don't want the numbers- AND THEY WORK ON COMMISSION!!! Plus their Christmas bonus is 1% of that nothing, and every year they don't get it until the last minute... BUT, THE WORST thing is that JL's old partner pulled something, stole the store pour from under him, THEN STOLE HIS WIFE!!! AND HE'S the boss doing this to them!!!

So this story MAINLY is about 2 older men selling cameras in a store where they're treated badly, knowing that everything's breaking down because digital cameras are taking over after 27 years in that store, their subsequent mental breakdowns...It just made me feel so SAD. That's NOT what movies should do.

Overexposed, Underdeveloped, Plot Obscura, Pick Your Camera Pun

[iquine · 4/10 · 27 April 2020]

(Flash Review)

This is pretty much a character (pointless) study of stubborn man who never had the gumption to take action on a great idea he had. The story revolves around a coupe other fellows who work at a camera store who are extremely cynical and quick to anger. The protagonist camera salesman had an idea for a 1 hour photo booth for several years and did nothing with it. Someone he knows (a slimy fellow) finally takes action on his idea and angers him. A few people try to help him achieve his vision yet he is too stubborn to accept help. Between that core story line are some weak side stories. Perhaps the story lacked focus because when it was all done, I didn't get the point to this film. Was it to observe a man struggling with his own self-pity? I couldn't find anything redeeming about it.

I tried.

[andreazzifelipe · 3/10 · 27 October 2019]

This movie called my attention because I like independent low budget films and I was expecting a Clerks or Mallrats kind of thing with a bit of drama. Also as a retailer myself I thought I would identify myself with something. It turns out this movie is: 1) way over dramatic. They put to many Christmas carols to try to bring emotion; 2) exaggerated swearing for no reason. Don't get me wrong I don't mind movies with a lot of swearing like Tarantino's, Scorsese's or Kevin Smith's, but here their swearing is like "forced" with really bad timing; 3) characters flipping out and screaming at each other for almost no reason; 4) a lot of cliched characters like the grumpy old salesman who doesn't like anyone, the old experienced co-worker who thinks is a wiseman throwing a lot of monologues that makes him look like Shakespeare, the basket case silly hot girl who likes to do wrong things and finally the capitalist jerk owner. I am sorry for John Larroquette and John Rhys Davis for choosing to do this movie. It wasn't their fault. I guess with a better direction, screenplay and different supporting actors the movie could go another way.

Clerks for the retirement community...at least it tries to be

[mrliteral · 4/10 · 26 October 2019]

This movie is set in 1994, the year Clerks was released. It takes place mostly in one location, and its characters swear a lot while working behind a cash register and experiencing major life changes over the course of a single day. That's about all it has in common with Kevin Smith's first feature, as it contains none of the charm, wit, or dramatic weight of the earlier film. It has more professional actors, camerawork, editing, and better filmmaking in general, sure -- but nothing all that interesting or important happens, and nothing these characters do makes any sense. They just talk and talk and talk without getting anywhere or learning anything. Nothing changes, no one evolves, and none of the characters relate to each other in a meaningful way...and some of them are super racist for no reason whatsoever! Its themes fall flat, and by the time it's over one is left wondering what the point was...turns out, there wasn't one.

Only For Certain People

[tigerbonewan · 8/10 · 25 August 2017]

Old pro John Larroquette is given a tricky Kevin Spacey type role requiring him to convey simmering intelligence, disgust, desperation, impotence and rage and he kills it, in the good way. The whole plot of this film is simply the one work day in a man's life when he is inescapably confronted with the truth that for all his abilities and initial potential, he is a failure. The screenplay and the actor vividly portray the character flaws that have brought him to that moment. But that is all there is here, my friends, and if that doesn't sound like a movie to you, you aren't going to like it, so don't watch it and then complain.

That the film is paced and photographed in a way reminiscent of Rod Serling, with skillfully building tension and suspense, will lead the viewer not getting it into think something very 'big' is going to happen. It does, the main character discovers he's been (figuratively) stabbed in the back, but since no special effects are involved, those viewers will sit there, still waiting.

If you enjoy movies that are mostly just character studies, and you have some interest in or identification with late mid-life crises, you'll probably get something out of this one. It is more than a movie about an actor acting.

How did that happen

[franka_van_loon · 22 June 2017]

I was looking forward to watch this movie, after all 8.1 at IMDb. Well it took me some time to get into the movie, (one hour and 40 minutes precisely) a movie with a very slow paste. The remaining part of the film, about 5-6 minutes that is inclusive the lead-out text was okay. This movie was a waste of my 5 dollar, big mistake. Bad acting, stupid lines and bad casting. How did that happen, that this movie has a score of 8.1, the complete crew created a IMDb account I guess?

Wow, quite a bad one with an unexpected high rating. Flee!

[arnojullien · 3/10 · 22 June 2017]

Obscure, falsely emotional, wrongly interpreted with distateful characters, a story that doesn't make any sense and all the clichés possible have been gathere to make this thing called by some 'a movie'. This is the worst above 3/10 IMDb rated film I have ever seen. Awful. And I do agree with Movie Lover's review, we saw the same film there!

A steamy melodramatic POS

[tdidamo · 4/10 · 9 August 2019]

A fantastic diatribe into the inner workings of a mall camera store. The writer put out a few movies that really resonated with audiences and a prepubescent me. What a profound waste of time. It took me 4 segmented viewings to finish this debacle. Well acted and well written. The good nonexistent lord gave me the option to skip 10 seconds ahead on my netflix app. I've never done a Yelp or movie review but wow what an addition to mediocrity.

waste of time

[naeemchak · 1/10 · 3 August 2017]

Its totally a waste of time. I am not sure how such a crap movie got such a high IMDb rating. In my view, its an effort to depict the meaninglessness in life but I am very confused if it even accomplished that. The only great thing about this movie is its extremely low budget and I guess it might get any award for lowest budget film.

Disappointing

[bsloughrin · 1/10 · 25 December 2017]

You have to wonder if anyone at netflix can read? And the players? Did any of them read this script before accepting? Talented people making the best of poor material.

A movie from a bygone era

[ahsanasaad101 · 8/10 · 29 January 2018]

In the hustle and bustle of this 21st century electric life one rarely reflects on times gone by.

This movie is a rich portrayal of a life lived with and between people, with its moments of purposelessness, morbidity and delight. Not something most people would enjoy these days perhaps but for myself it was a warm breeze laced with memory. And once in a while, we need to remember.

Script: 7/10 - Solid Direction: 8/10 - Hit mostly right notes Acting: 9/10 - Brilliant

Rys-Meyers ruined this film.

[titanslife_6 · 1/10 · 5 November 2019]

Pretty simple review here, if your looking for a Jonathan Rys-Meyers one man show than boy is this for you! All he did was rant and rave and wax poetic, I literally fast forwarded thru all of his scenes.

Utter, boring drivel

[Boristhemoggy · 1/10 · 29 January 2018]

Well let's see if I can start with a positive Erm...hold on, lemme think...hmmm, well, just a mo let me think harder....oh right I got one! John Larroquette is excellent. OK so now for the rest of the film. Well i can best sum it up as Utter. Boring Drivel. One thing did provoke me to thinking...the casting of John Rhys-Davies. Why is he still working? He's truly awful. His character is awful and he's awful. The plot is awful, although to be fair it's non-existent. The film is awful. It's boring drivel, utterly. I feel like maybe I've not put my point across very well...

Could have been better

[philzone-50600 · 5/10 · 11 June 2018]

This movie, though complex seemed dated because of several factors. One, you cannot smoke indoors anywhere anymore in places like stores and malls. Two, mall are and have passed into almost obscurity now in 2018. This movie almost seems to be set in the 1970"s, 1980's and 1990"s. Three, Some of the dialogue also comes from that era. Yet the theme of the dissapearing camera shops (especially film cameras) catering to the general public rings true. Difficult watch on that respect. Though some enternaning moments, writing and character developement are generally lacking and the movie seems to drag often with wasted dialogue.

Overwrought For Nought

[stebunn-2 · 1/10 · 7 October 2019]

I was astonished to see the 10/10 reviews of this POS. Then I realized that the writer/director surely had penned them all because no film lover could ever had.

Life at the mall imitates life in general.

[wmmacleod · 10/10 · 25 June 2017]

A true gem of a film with powerful yet nuanced performances which serve to tell a poignant story of life through the prism of one small store in a mall so generic it could be anywhere. This is one of those rare movies which provide a different experience to different viewers depending upon what they permit themselves to take from it. Some can watch it simply for the entertainment of watching two masters elevate their craft. Others will delve into the many subplots of the underlying morality tale and see a bit of themselves on screen. Sadly, there will always be those vociferous few who won't or can't see past the simple sets to appreciate the true masterpiece underneath.

John Larroquette and John Rhys-Davies each deliver some of their best performances in recent memory. The rest of the cast should be applauded for raising their talents to meet the challenging level of artistry and wit the two stars effortlessly show here.

Solidly written the story flows smoothly through several well structured plot twists. Not everything is as it seems, nor are people for that matter, and life is certainly never more than a mystery of what comes next formulated from the decisions of our past.

Got to be of an age

[robinlsmith-33644 · 9/10 · 20 January 2018]

I was pleasantly surprised by this flick. It takes place in the mall I grew up in, though quite a few years later. Brought back memories of Night Court, NYC, parties in Upper Nyack. Enjoyed it a lot, especially having worked in that mall & others for decades. Good flick.

witty partake

[pontificator · 8/10 · 24 June 2017]

I didn't know what to expect given the pre-commentary. I was pleasingly surprised by its humour and wit, at least to this dull mind. I am glad I partook, although some may not find its moral particularly uplifting but it does serve to underline the nature of life. some believe that life/evolution is a race between predator and prey but it has also been convincingly studied as a race betwixt host and parasite. Granted that what is host and what is parasite will undoubtedly be in vast contention.

Speechless....

[SamUnfiltered1979 · 10/10 · 25 June 2017]

This movie was one I started on a late night, with a glass of scotch in one hand and a cigerette in the other. I am a huge fan of John Larroquttes, From Night Court to the West Wing and everything in between. Jonathan Rhys Davies as well. So I was expecting a fairly even story with a good plot. What I got was a totally engrossing film that left me breathless at the end. John Larroquette puts on a tour de force performance that I think should get him an Oscar nod. I am not easily impressed. But this took my breath away. Maybe its because I grew up loving photography and film and still shun digital that this movie spoke to me. 10 stars.

Perfect time for the end

[riprock9000 · 8/10 · 5 August 2019]

The choice paradox has been a challenge when finding newer movies of quality. Therefore, I just chose "Camera Store" off handedly and what a great surprise. It's become more rare to find movies which capture atmosphere in a meaningful level. The film really captures the sense of change which has been occurring in the past 10 years. I remember the rise of 80's America and the promise of hope based on consumerism. The local mall was the hub of business. Often times neighbors worked or owned businesses in the mall. The mall was part of everyday life in America. No one really ever imagined that "the mall" would become a relic just like "the camera store" in a time which everyone has a camera in hand. The film speaks to the change in our midst. Photos are almost arbitrary these days. Many of us take hundreds of not thousands of pictures with our phones then delete them in seconds. We can buy anything online without having to put on clothes. The shift from old to new when redundancy becomes real and possibly painful is palpable in this movie. The atmosphere of the movie conveys a sense of loss. A loss of connection with one another. A feeling of having been lost in a perception of the American Dream which never existed in the first place. An exhibition of the artifice of human existence in a world thoroughly corrupted by materialism. The years of relationships in the camera store basically come down to money. No more, no less. A very lonely place to find oneself in modern America.

Oscar performance by John Larroquette

[celtic451-228-782719 · 10/10 · 22 April 2020]

This is a 10 all the way. I was stunned by John L's performance. It was one of THE best acting performances I've ever seen by anyone. It was like Death of a Camera Salesman. His portrayal of a depressed reflective salesman was gut wrenching to say the least. I was drawn in so deep I couldn't take my attention off of this movie. I am shocked this movie doesn't have at lease an overall rating of 8, it was that good. It was one of the deepest character studies I've ever seen and the writing was deep and soul searching. A must see movie.