The most marked characteristic of All Is Bright is that it’s a colossal waste of Paul Giamatti and Paul Rudd.
A bitter buddy comedy that’s high on cynicism but low on laughs, it’s just too empty to make an impact.
Directed by Phil Morrison, the film stars Giamatti as “Dennis,” a French Canadian ex-con struggling to make his way back into the hearts of his wife and daughter.
To make money, he travels to New York City to sell Christmas trees with “Rene” (Rudd), another former criminal, who also happened to steal Dennis’ wife.
It’s not surprising that the movie’s screenwriter, Melissa James Gibson, works mostly as a playwright, for much of the dialogue feels like it would be better suited to the stage.
On screen, it comes across as somewhat stilted, requiring more energy and expansiveness than the actors can afford to give in such an understated film.
Morrison’s directing feels small and nondescript. He seems to have cast a wash of grimy melancholy over everything, including the moments that should be given more light and life.
It’s a shame, too, because Rudd and Giamatti are capable of so much more than Morrison and Gibson allow them.
As it stands, Giamatti merely plays his signature hangdog oaf, going through the motions without bringing anything new to the role.
Rudd, on the other hand, is given a slightly darker character than he usually plays, but it’s so poorly written that his performance comes across as glib and underdeveloped.
In fact, “underdeveloped” aptly describe the entire film. It’s not awful, but it’s certainly not worth the trouble of seeing it.
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