I'm in the minority here, but I liked it. *May contain spoilers*

I don't know if it's because I'm a big Robin Williams fan, but I thought this was a solid movie. It certainly wasn't Williams' best movie but not his worst either. To me, that title belongs to either "R.V." or "Old Dogs". Not a bad movie, but it certainly doesn't reach the greatness of his other movies like "One Hour Photo" or "Good Morning, Vietnam". I'll get my criticisms out of the way. I didn't laugh out loud and didn't think everything about it was funny, but there were individual moments like the James Earl Jones scene that had me laughing as well as some lines of dialogue throughout. The problem I see is the same problem with another Williams' film, "Jack". The film was marketed as a comedy, but came off more as a drama. Nothing wrong with that, but it was false to what was presented in the trailer. The premise has humorous potential, but took a more dramedy approach and there were moments where the music cues at the obvious moments where we're supposed to feel emotional like the bridge scene. I also think it was unnecessary to have him literally be angry and scream in every single scene. We get it. He's angry. The title says it. Also, the big reveal as to who the cab driver is near the end when he has to go to the hospital was really predictable. I knew right from the beginning that when it comes down to the big moment when he has to hurry to the hospital that he was going to get that cab driver again. The stuff with the son, too where they're dancing was also kind of predictable. I also felt the bridge scene where he comes to his resolution, realizing where he went wrong in life came too little too early. It came at the one hour mark of the film and felt like it should have been at the end as both Williams' and Kunis' characters change for the rest of the story and learn the story's lessons at that point.

That being said though, I did enjoy the humor and some of the tender moments and because I like Robin Williams, I think it was a solid effort. One of my favorite things about it was the editing and the use of jump cuts, especially in the opening when the character's narration describes what angers him. I thought that was clever editing and I also enjoyed the use of colors from present day to flashback and how the colors intentionally became a desaturated golden tint whereas we get heavy contrast and brightness in the present day scenes. I also found myself being entertained by the story and wanting to know what was to come of the character. It has a good heart to it.

I think the critics are overanalyzing it. Yes, it's not a great movie, but I really don't think it's as bad as it's being made out to me. I read one review where a critic stated that the people who made this movie were amateurs! I think I saw someone on IMDb also say they should be flipping burgers! That's a little too much over the top, in my opinion. Clearly, the filmmakers knew what they were doing. The only technical flaw I noticed was the green screen work when Williams is on the bridge. It was obvious how it was done. Critics have also pointed out that the story is familiar and has been done before. It has and is cliche, but what hasn't been done before? Everything is a cliche. The challenge to making movie is taking familiar territory and putting a new spin on it. Despite it's lack of originality, I found it entertaining.

Also, the whole debate about what Mila Kunis' character's actions are unrealistic, being malpractice and how her license would be taken away from her. First of all, that's correct and I totally agree. However, the movie recognizes what's wrong this and several characters point it out to her and question it. So its not like the movie doesn't see how ridiculous a 90 minute prognosis sounds. Characters need to have faults and flaws to grow throughout a story and she had them.

There's also been criticism about Williams' character and how anger isn't justified. The flashbacks clearly show what drove him to anger. It could've delve a little deeper, perhaps. I would have liked to have seen more about the relationship between he and Melissa Leo rather than the son, personally. It's still clear as to why he's angry and how it's been building up. Is the character unlikeable? Yes, but isn't he supposed to be? Again, that's his flaw.

There was much more that I saw being criticized about the film but to go into detail would take me all day. I don't know. Maybe I'm over defending it, but I just don't fully understand the over analysis of the movie. It's meant to escapism entertainment.


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