Better Living Through Chemistry (2014) User Reviews

Rockwell's charisma elevates this familiar tale.

[BrentHankins · 6/10 · 14 March 2014]

Have you ever looked around at your life and realized that it didn't turn out the way you thought it would? Sure, everyone has, and while most people would just chalk it up to a healthy dose of reality, small town pharmacist Douglas Varney (Sam Rockwell) is searching for something more. He's not entirely sure what that something is, until a chance meeting with local millionaire's wife Elizabeth (Olivia Wilde) results in the type of mind-blowing, toe-curling sex that he's only dreamed about.

The fact that Doug is married should serve as a major deterrent to this sort of activity, but when his wife (Michelle Monaghan) is a highly competitive cyclist who doles out sex and respect in equal amounts (read: none at all), it's easy to see why this lonely schlub would be driven into the arms of a femme fatale. It doesn't hurt that Doug's place of business gives him unfettered access to a wide array of prescription drugs, and soon he and Elizabeth fall into a steady cycle of psychotropic carnality.

The illicit affair instills a newfound confidence in Doug, and much like Kevin Spacey in American Beauty, he begins to rebel against everything and everyone that has been holding him back all these years. The always charismatic Rockwell radiates cool from every pore as he struts from scene to scene, a cigarette drooping lazily from his lip as he schemes to beat his wife at her own game: a local bike race dubbed the Tour de Woodbury, which she has never lost.

There are a few other side plots, including an ill-conceived murder plot and a surprisingly sweet moment that finds Doug bonding with his troubled, distant 12-year-old son, but the crux of this film is Doug's transformation from put-upon loser to swaggering, cocky bad boy. Rockwell takes the ball and runs with it, and the effective (if underutilized) supporting cast gives him plenty of room to put his own stamp on this familiar story.

Nothing Special, But Still Fun

[gavin6942 · 6/10 · 21 January 2015]

A strait-laced pharmacist's uneventful life spirals out of control when he starts an affair with a trophy-wife customer who takes him on a joyride involving sex, drugs and possibly murder.

This film comes across as your standard indie comedy with a solid cast. Olivia Wilde, Sam Rockwell and Ray Liotta, to name a few. Maybe not quite A-list, but all well-established actors in their own right with plenty of talent. Through in a cameo by Ben Schwartz, who is definitely moving up in the world, and you have a strong ensemble.

The film is good, too, with plenty of subtle humor, of a dark nature, and just enough quirkiness to appease the target audience. Maybe not quite funny enough to recommend, but worth the time it takes to watch.

Good flick!

[jkt2006 · 7/10 · 2 June 2014]

Well, I enjoyed this one thoroughly. One, there was rarely a boring moment, it didn't give me enough time to ponder about what next? Two, the performances by both Sam and Olivia were convincing and enjoyable, especially Sam. Once in a while what one needs is pure entertainment(not nonsensical though!) and this one provides the right thrills and entertainment in one go. Olivia Wilde is exactly that, just wild in the movie and has a wonderful screen presence. The chemistry between the two is great too, and you wish they had more scenes together. I gave it a 7 for I had a good time watching it and would recommend it for an evening watch.

Starting up

[kosmasp · 7/10 · 14 August 2014]

If you never start, you'll never finish. Makes sense, also if you don't break out, you'll stay imprisoned. Both those things do apply to our main hero here (played with much gusto by Sam Rockwell, whose presence alone elevates any and every movie). You also get Olivia Wilde who takes her last name literally ... well her character does.

For a "small" movie that is quite an impressive cast that assembles here and it does show on screen. There are a few things that might feel a bit cliché, but that can be attributed to once cynicism or the fact that one has watched too many movies (I'm mainly talking about myself here). But even through all this the movie has heart and does keep you guessing and rooting for the main (naive) guy ... Sam Rockwell can do that to you (the character he's playing).

Positive truthful movie

[Nafiganado · 7/10 · 29 August 2014]

Protagonist is a positive person, which is an under-heel-guy, doing everything to please his wife and her parents. Very common situation.

In some moment another woman pushes him in right direction to change: to become a free-spirit person and start taking care about himself. Of course, it was not a very healthy way - meaning there were some drugs involved. But again, the situation shown is quite truthful: if we want good changes - sometimes it's not possible to do EVERYTHING right all the way, agree? Of course, there are some lucky coincidences which help our main character to come out clean from all the problems finally. But once more: haven't you ever had situations in your life, when you are very close to get into troubles when trying to make things better and finally as a reward for all your trials you are saved in some magic way? :) All in all, this movie is very positive. It let you dream when watching it, but easily gets you back to reality when it ends. With pleasant thoughts.

BACK IN THE NEW YORK GROOVE

[nogodnomasters · 6/10 · 11 October 2018]

In a small idyllic town, the village pharmacist knows everyone's secrets. Doug Varney (Sam Rockwell) has a fitness compulsive wife (Michelle Monaghan) an unruly child (Harrison Holzer) and an irritating narrator (Jane Fonda). Stuck in a rut he meets rich wife Elizabeth (Olivia Wilde) who breaks Doug out and instills confidence in him through an affair and pills.

The film reminded me of a generic Magnolia indie. Let's throw together some quirky characters, get a couple of names, create an unlikely scenario, toss in a few cliches, an appropriate sound track and stir. There was nothing overly entertaining in the film, yet at the same time I wasn't bored waiting for something to happen. For those who can't get enough of the clever and quirky indies, you might get a quick fix from this film.

Parental Guide: F-bomb. Sex.

Some bright spots

[tonymustam3 · 7/10 · 18 March 2014]

It takes a while to build some steam, but there are bright spots. The story doesn't make a great deal of sense, but the setting is beautiful and the story unfolds in an intimate way that got me invested in Sam Rockwell's character. Ray Liotta is a plus and Ron Heneghan is excellent as the police officer. Rockwell and Heneghan in the school classroom is a marvelous piece of writing and acting, perhaps the movie's best moment. Ken Howard adds some heft as the father-in-law, but Michele Monaghan is disappointing as Rockwell's wife. Her character is shallow and she never grabs the audience one way or the other. I found Jane Fonda's narration to be choppy, but Sam Rockwell is engaging and inspiring. Definitely worth seeing.

Good story, but not funny at all

[sjd912 · 14 March 2014]

This movie strikes at some interesting subjects as a dramedy, but besides a couple of nice twists, it offers nothing to enjoy. It never really picks up a pace, hasn't got more than 2 or 3 funny moments, so basically it's like a very light drama. The main storyline featuring the protagonist, who learns how to stand up for himself, is not the most original one, but is written well, and would have worked well in a comedy with actual jokes. But this way it's more like a corny and shallow drama. The actors are doing a great job, especially Rockwell and Monaghan, but it's all for nothing. Basically this movie isn't satisfying as a comedy nor as a drama.

Watching and fun

[dar0417 · 6/10 · 1 September 2020]

When all said done it turns out all the characters in this film are just jerks. Film is watchable and entertaining.

my notes

[FeastMode · 7/10 · 24 June 2019]

Started off slow but turned into a very interesting and fun story. had some very memorable and hilarious parts and a good story.. sam rockwell is an amazing actor. he is so convincing and makes you root for him even when you shouldn't (2 viewings)

SPOILERS

it had a fitting conclusion

Watchable on a rainy, boring night

[bob-larrance · 5/10 · 14 March 2014]

Sam Rockwell has done some really great work. Not here, but he has, trust me. Ditto Michelle Monaghan, Olivia Wilde and Ray Liotta. And, let me be clear when I tell you that they try very hard to make this a nice little comedy. Sadly, all their hard work is pretty much wasted, and combined with the unnecessary Jane Fonda Narration I found Better Living Through Chemistry to be one of those movies you might watch some rainy, boring night - one of those nights when this is the only possible choice.

Rotten weather tonight? Seen every episode of Two Broke Girls at least twice? Need to save your gray matter for tomorrow's presentation? Great! This is a movie for you.

I think that the below average production really detracts from the film. There is something 'funky' about the sound and the filming is just a little bit off, like it was filmed half digital/half Eastman Kodak. No need for me to be more specific, you will notice. Trust me, again.

Another negative is knowing how much you have enjoyed the leads in the past. Consider Rockwell in Moon, or Monaghan in True Detective, two very strong performances. Rockwell in this movie comes off more like the new Rick Moranis (Honey, I drugged the kids) and I don't recall ever seeing Michelle so tired around the edges. I mentioned that they work hard, right?

This is not some comedic breakthrough, by the way. I do believe it has all been done before, thematically.

Though this is a film about a pharmacist, there is nothing new in this comedy as far as concepts or gags. You have seen it all before. The script isn't at all fresh, a real problem for me. It even has the oddball kid, you know the one that is going his own way or words to that effect. The core concepts that are supposed to work and make us laugh just don't work often enough.

I don't know if this ever made it to the theaters, or went straight to video. If it was in general release it is impossible for me to imagine it generating the sort of buzz to attract many folks to the old movie house.

However, it is watchable. Sound odd? Not really, just don't expect much. And, don't worry about pausing when you need a quick trip to the john, you won't miss much and no new techniques will be introduced.

Trust me.

Nice 'little' movie... "the key to getting ahead is getting started!"

[paul-allaer · 8/10 · 14 March 2014]

"Better Living Through Chemistry" (2014 release; 92 min.) brings the story of Doug Varney (played by Sam Rockwell), who is stuck in an unhappy marriage, and who has just bought the pharmacy from his father-in-law. One evening, Doug is making house deliveries of prescriptions, and one of those deliveries is to a McMansion, where the doorbell is answered by Elizabeth, a beautiful yet bored and unhappy housewife (played by Olivia Wilde). It's not long before Doug and Elizabeth hit it off, setting Doug on a path of personal discovery. In a parallel story, Doug is dealing with his 12 year old son who is going through a tough stretch himself. To tell you more would spoil your viewing experience, you'll just have to see for yourself how it all plays out.

Couple of comments: first, this is the big screen debut of Geoff Moore and David Posamentier, who co-directed and also co-wrote this original screenplay. Second, this is one of those 'little' indie movies that just could, as the movie doesn't take itself too seriously yet before you know it 90 min. have come and gone. Third, the character of Doug is of course crucial to the success of the movie. Originally schedule to be played by Jeremy Renner (who bowed out due to schedule conflicts), Sam Rockwell, whom we saw excel just last year in "The Way, Way Back", gives a commanding performance as Doug, and basically carries the movie on his shoulders. There are many other smaller choice roles, including of course Olivia Wilde, but check out also Ray Liotta as the husband of Elizabeth (max 15 min. of screen time), and Jane Fonda as herself at the very end (in a blink-and-you'll-miss-it role). Fourth, the movie was filmed in and around Annapolis, MD, which looks just gorgeous. Last but not least, there are a lot of great songs in the movie soundtrack, including Donovan's "Season of the Witch" and lots of indie music. But Queens of the Stone Age's "Better Living Through Chemistry" is NOT in the movie.

This movie opened today without any pre-release fanfare or hype at my local art-house theatre here in Cincinnati. The matinée showing I saw this at was surprisingly well attended, given the low profile of the movie and the simultaneous release on Amazon Instant Video. All that aside, I was pleasantly surprised by this movie. "Better Living Through Chemistry" is definitely worth checking out, be it in the theater, on DVD or on Amazon Instant Video.

If Breaking Bad was a Comedy, You'd Get This

[schemeofschemes · 6/10 · 17 June 2014]

This was a decent movie, kind of what you would expect if you could mate Friends with Breaking Bad but with a lot more sex. Throw in a really hot chick to make the sex scenes all that much more interesting to watch and you can almost forgive the cookie cutter script.

Hey his wife is a bitch, gosh why doesn't he get out of that relationship. Ah, he's a bit too wimpy to do anything about his life, i'm betting that will change if a hot girl could walk into his life ... oh here comes one now.

Look at that, she's a perfect 10 and wants to bang a solid 3, must be some ulterior motive for that I bet ... say why hasn't a perfect 10 walked into my life yet and use sex to exploit me?

Did I mention she's hot to look at?

It always helps to have a hot girl to look at when you've written a plot that's guessable by my 8 year old.

So what made the movie watchable? I mean, other than her. Well, the acting was quite good, it moved along at a nice pace, it had car sex ... twice! ... and the girl was hot. Darn it, have I mentioned that one time too many yet?

Oh and Ray Liotta is a nice guy for once, but he looks old. Every actor has a movie where you notice how old he's suddenly gotten, this is 'that' movie for Ray.

Across the street from me here in Bangkok, there's a 711 and beside that a little tiny pharmacy with old jars and glasses behind the rusty old table that serves as a counter. The 80 year old 'pharmacist' takes the cork out of one of those jars and spills 100 Xanax on the glass counter asking how many I need. She drops them into a soup bag, wraps it with an elastic band and hands it over for 100 Baht looking at me with a crooked smile and a twinkle in her eye.

I wonder if she sees me as a hot male version of Michelle Monaghan? Good god, does that mean I have to do it with her in a Tuk-Tuk , twice?

Tripe

[robtaday · 1/10 · 11 May 2015]

Another to add to the list of recent films about grown folks you just don't want to grow up. Here again you have a guy who seemingly has it all: career, home and family but it just is not enough. I mean, so what if you have a wife, kids, RESPONSIBILITY. There is a whole world out there just waiting for you and after all, it is YOUR happiness that counts. If YOU cannot be happy, then how can you make anyone else happy? So of course your kid, who is desperately crying out for help (and a father figure) will be "better off" if you abandon the family home to "find yourself." And cheating on your wife, well, that's cool too because, well, just because it is, damn it! And considering murdering your mistress' husband so the two of you can run off together is cool too. Again, never mind you have a 12- year old son in crisis mode. So, you allow yourself to become addicted to drugs because that is what your mistress likes and it does make sex so much more fun, particularly if you are a pharmacist who can whip things up right in the lab. But then, just as easily you apparently kick your drug habit and allow some other schmuck to take the rap for your felonious drug crimes. All a bunch of tripe that I suppose somebody can identify with or rather, too bad so many people probably will identify with.

Is life better through chemistry?

[Gordon-11 · 16 March 2014]

This film tells the story of a suburban pharmacist undergoing a midlife crisis. His life spirals out of control when he meets a beautiful female customer.

"Better Living Through Chemistry" spends an adequate amount of time building up a picture of Douglas' the unpleasant life. He is constantly undermined by his loved ones, and it does not feel great to be him. I feel for him, and I think Sam Rockwell does well in making me care for his character. Douglas' life changes quickly after Elizabeth arrives, some for the better and some for the worse. There is much food for thought, especially whether life is better through chemistry. The build up of the policeman plus DEA agent encounter is well done as well! It really got the character and me as well. I enjoy watching "Better Living Through Chemistry" a lot, as it gives people bits to chew on, reflecting on their own lives.

Why the hell is Jane Fonda narrating everything?

[anitamcgill · 6/10 · 13 April 2020]

Apart from the tonal dissonance, I'd say this is a relatively enjoyable movie and I would've probably given an extra star if they had ditched the narration.

Pill poppers

[deloudelouvain · 7/10 · 23 January 2017]

Don't expect too much of this movie and then you will appreciate it more. I mean by that that it's not a comedy where you will not stop laughing but thanks to Sam Rockwell it has his funny moments. He's a pharmacist with a pretty boring life, with a wife he doesn't really love, a stepfather that can't stand him, and he then falls for a rich blond pill popper played by Olivia Wilde that introduces him to all the drugs he actually has been dealing with for years. What follows is a story of pills taken wrongly for many purposes. A lot of sex, cheating and lies are the consequences of his behavior. The movie never slows down and that's only good for a movie like this one. It's an easy movie to watch, nothing to think about. Just relax on a bad weather day and enjoy the movie.

Nothing new, nothing funny, but Sam is great!

[AlenkaArya · 6/10 · 28 June 2014]

PLOT Small town pharmacist Douglas Varney (Sam Rockwell) is tired of his uneventful life, his bitchy wife Kara (Michelle Monaghan) and don't really take time for their distant 12-year-old son Ethan (Harrison Holzer). He spirals out of control when he starts an affair with a trophy wife customer Elizabeth (Olivia Wilde) who takes him on a joyride involving sex and drugs. They want to run away together but one of them may change their mind.

REVIEW Well... let's just say actors are trying very hard to make this a nice little comedy (Sam is really good) but sadly their hard work is pretty much wasted. Film strives to be some kind of witty cool comedy-drama but it's just not. Nothing that we haven't seen before, rare funny moments, unnecessary Jane Fonda narration. After first 15 minutes you're like: 'I can't watch this crap anymore', but when you go on, it gets a little better, the ending and the message are solid. Some twists were also not clichéd and I appreciate that. Still, average flick that you can forget easily. You need to take chances in life but I'm not sure you need to take chance on this film.

More on blog - http://somewhereibelong-arya.blogspot.com

Fun

[SwollenThumb · 7/10 · 2 May 2018]

Fun if at times frenetic. Rockwell is perfect. I was left a bit uneasy by the ending even though it rounded everything off nicely. This is like an updated '40s romantic thriller with a comedy thrown in.

Doping is cool?

[Realiser · 7/10 · 22 January 2016]

I don't have a full scale review here. I'm not a movie critic, however, I wanted to document few impressions I have about the movie. So I decided this page is the best place for it. It certainly contains spoilers. To begin with, this movie is actually pretty good. Quite funny and interesting plot. The couple of comments I have are: 1) It sort of portrayed that doping yourself to win cycling races is cool. I used to argue that, but it is generally against societal norms, so it's a bit strange. This reminded me of Lance Armstrong scandal and backlash, also about Olympic athletes. 2) Then I had an issue about why there is so much cheating going on in modern movies. But then I thought, yeah you gotta have a plot. Besides, Sam Rockwell's wife is the most unpleasant character in the movie. She appears to me as a feminist, independent, self-reliant woman. And look at what this philosophy made of her. -Thanks

Wild and funny

[Seraphion · 6/10 · 11 May 2015]

The story nicely points out about its own unlikelihood to happen by setting the location is some small town. Yet the story can set itself up nicely with all those crazy things in its ingredients. Although the story almost got stretched too wide, the movie managed to anchor it down by keeping the focus at Doug at all times. By this the movie instead shows a wider aspect of Doug's problems such the things with Ethan, Kara, and also his own father in law. Yet I feel that this movie unevenly built the characters in it.The character Kara is well built and developed as the main character's wife, but Kara never had any real significance within the story besides being Doug's wife. Meanwhile the character Noah only shows up a couple of times before he appears drunk and then dead, thus being an easy scapegoat for Doug. The acting overall is nice job. Sam Rockwell did a balanced acting, using his usual carefree character and adding a little bit of fatherhood to it. Olivia Wilde's character is also quite strong in her acting, successfully depicting th lonely trophy wife. Michelle Monaghan is quite underutilized since her character didn't really have any greater significance.

flat black comedy

[SnoopyStyle · 4/10 · 2 April 2016]

Doug Varney (Sam Rockwell) is a reserved small town pharmacist. Despite taking over his father-in-law Walter Bishop's store, Walter decides to install a Bishop's Pharmacy sign. He's a pushover for everyone including his competitive cycling wife Kara (Michelle Monaghan). His son Ethan has issues and Kara enables him. Doug starts an affair with Elizabeth Roberts (Olivia Wilde). She's the unhappy trophy wife to Jack Roberts (Ray Liotta). They start getting high on Doug's own supply and planning Jack's murder.

Narration is sometimes problematic. The Jane Fonda narration is not only unnecessary. It is wholly distracting. I wonder if the filmmakers felt a lack of energy and decided to inject the narration to fill out the blank spaces. It sets up a bunch of pathetic malcontents and takes forever to get going. I don't feel it when Doug and Elizabeth get together. Sam Rockwell is miscast and he only shows his true colors when Doug livens up. The early Doug is a fake and it feels like it. It's also noticeable that Ray Liotta is missing for most of the movie. Elizabeth can bad-mouth him as he's shown in a bad light early in the movie. The first half is flat. The movie simply doesn't work.

You need to take chances in life, or you won't live, but how far will Doug go?

[face-819-933726 · 8/10 · 14 March 2014]

Much better than Breakfast of Champions, and more mature than a Hunter S. Thompson romp, though with all of the paranoia. Poor Doug. As usual Sam Rockwell is able to be all things in one people, taking Doug from zero to hero and back and forth across the blurring lines like a master. With no spine, and bullies in all directions all Doug needed was that little push, and Wilde is just the right level of force to make it possible to care about Doug even while watching him go from the guy who judges the junkies to just another one himself. The entire movie is narrated spectacularly by Jane Fonda, and the final reveal/payoff is worth it even if it is so telegraphed.(she's holding the box people ;) ) I really fond a lot of heart in this movie especially between the father, and Son as they build a bond that many of us will envy. I recommend this movie completely, there is some language, and a very adult story line, but for the most part it is harmless humour, and ironic things that just happen.

My Chemical Romance

[raulfaust · 7/10 · 10 April 2015]

I just finished watching this movie and the first thought that comes to mind is: what an audacious flick. From the get go, we're very told that the main couple has no chemistry whatsoever; the two characters are quite different from each other. Varney is that kind of a guy whose wife is capable of ordering him whenever she wants to-- and in this case, she wants it all the time. Mrs. Varney is a woman with a strong personality who tries to live the American dream, in which she is the strongest out there and has the most perfect family. In fact, her character is a Freud's classic, mainly for avoiding conflict and trying to pretend everything's alright-- when it's really not. For that reason, I got admired in how well developed the characters were. That being said, Mr. Varney, by admitting his life is just miserable, begins going out with another woman: some woman whose life is ruled by prescribed drugs. Mr. Varney, albeit being a pharmaceutic, sinks into this crazy addicted life, delivering plenty of funny moments-- and remembering me of 1996's "The People vs. Larry Flynt". There are great twist all the way through, and if you like surprising films, this one is indeed a good choice. In the end, spectator is not given any beautiful message about life or relationships, but it's easy to see how sometimes circumstances can help you out.

It's all about Sam Rockwell in this one.

[troyputland · 5/10 · 3 August 2015]

If a movie lacks a certain buzz or thrill, Sam Rockwell can be relied upon to sugar-coat the mess. Better Living Through Chemistry feels bogged down, even when on the surface the plot's intact. Rockwell saves the day, turning a boring character and his day-to-day routine into a life of revelry. His wife's (Michelle Monaghan) portrayed as a spiteful person, their relationship's hitting rock bottom. She's purposely cold and nasty, making the pharmaceutical nice-man the one to relate to, subconsciously pushing our opinions of them down a narrow path. Rockwell's life is spun 180 degrees when he meets Olivia Wilde's wealthy drug addict. They commit adultery on their respective partners, take advantage of Rockwell's medicinal knowledge and inventory, and plot murder. Out of character motives. But it is Sam Rockwell, doing what he does best: engage and amuse. Olivia Wilde's character is flat. Her forte lies in other M.O's. Ray Liotta is Wilde's unsuspecting husband, whose screen time barely reaches five minutes. Jane Fonda's voice-over, accompanying Rockwell's story, is pointless, other than to tell us she was/is one of his customers. If it weren't for Rockwell's class acting, Better Living Through Chemistry would be one to avoid.