Beautiful Loser (2008) User Reviews

Very Non-Hollywood With Spiritual Story

[mistyt1973 · 7/10 · 14 April 2008]

The IMDb description is way off and doesn't do the the movie justice. Reggie "Ditto" is the lead character, but not the whole story. There are three other characters, 2 other couples also dealing with lost loves. Reggie is the main character but not the whole movie, though the plot does revolve around him. The description also makes it sound like a teen comedy, which is only part of the narrative.

There's two different casts playing the same set of characters 20 years apart. It's surprisingly easy to follow and the weaving of these two story lines was the best element of the film. And the best element of the two story lines is when they're teenagers.

This is the kind of movie you want to see again because there's so much going on, the director has so much to say, I think this is one of those films that on a second viewing gets even better. I'll definitely see it again.

Funny, moving, sweet, sad and real!

[soomac49 · 8/10 · 15 April 2008]

I also saw the film at the Philadelphia Film Festival and I agree with the other reviewers that there was a lot to think about in this film. It did take me a little while at the beginning of several scenes to figure out which set of characters I was seeing, the teenagers or the adults. But once all the characters were introduced, it was easy to follow. The film is beautifully shot. Where did the director find a corn field in LA? (where he said it was filmed) and I loved the soundtrack. The music was never cloying or over-used but fit the scenes thematically.

I liked the notion of the adults returning to their memories (good and bad) as we really do in life...remembering conversations, regretting actions or inactions, for what seems like FOREVER. The movie reminded me of the film Memento, because of the unusual "chronology" of events, but that only made the choices the characters make seem even more poignant. Great acting....it's hard to believe this film was made by a first-time director. Funny, moving, sweet, sad and real!

Moving little film

[jeffglo2112 · 8/10 · 14 April 2008]

I saw this at the Philly Film Festival Friday night. the place was very full -- nearly sold out -- and the director and producers were there. I think this was the premiere.

The story is told with two sets of cast and it took me a few minutes to catch on as to who was who but once I did it was fine. Half of the film is when the characters are in high school, the other half when they're adults in their late 30s or 40s. The film cuts back and forth between them, which I thought at first I would hate, but it worked because I don't really think the movie would work in a linear fashion.

The first few minutes were a little hard to get into, but slowly the film drew me further and further in until I really wanted to know what will happen with the characters. There's a very strong spiritual theme. A couple of guys behind me hated that part of it, but it wasn't preachy and who the characters were.

What I liked most was that I've never seen a film like this before -- told in this fashion. It's challenging and makes you think. The characters also stayed with me. in the Q&A the director said he wanted to explore the theme of regret. For me it was more about lost love, something a lot of people can relate to.

A magic story of love and redemption

[lambodog-1 · 9/10 · 17 April 2008]

I loved this movie. Clearly the director/writer gave inordinate thought and time to crafting a movie that not only moved me to tears at the time I saw it in Philly, but to put it in my memory. I have thought about it so many times and wondered, what would I do? I know what I would do--in a second, if I were ever given the choice---but what would John Nolte do? This is a movie for people who think and love. It was interesting to hear the discussion of the movie at the festival. People gave the theme and story real thought. Not many movies today ask us to think--and those that do have us thinking about war and violence, not about love and forgiveness. What a rare hour or two--the movie is challenging--thinking is even required to learn who the characters are--just like it takes time to learn who our friends really are and wonder who they might have been when they were young. With any luck, there are still plenty of people who want to think in the world--this movie needs to be seen. Whenever it comes out to the public at large, it will be a great success because people will tell their friends, and they will tell their friends, just like I have done.

Endearing, if odd take, on a familiar subject

[bridgerpict · 8/10 · 14 April 2008]

the festival program description made it sound like a normal, everyday coming of age story with a group of friends who look back on life and wonder how it all went wrong. i don't want to spoil it, and the a lot of the movie is like that, but then again its not. but it worked for me, especially the spiritual scenes which were touching.

the acting is wonderful. with two actors for each main character (one a teenager, the counterpart around forty) the friendship between the 3 main characters was strong. you really felt they'd known each other all this time and it was nice how they looked after one another.

my favorite scenes were between young Reggie (Gordo from Lizzie Maguire) and Tracy, the love of his life, and way out of his league. He was a little obnoxious and sad, but always endearing. you do hope he wins her.