After seeing the trailer, I had dismissed this movie as just another feel-good sitcom until I spotted its pedigree. It being the third feature film from writer/director Tom McCarthy who scored sleeper hits with ‘The Last Station Agent’ and ‘The Visitor’ which I both really enjoyed and admired. Hence I found myself in the movie theater watching Paul Giamatti play yet anther version of his scruffy disheveled unlikely ‘hero’ at the end of his tether and on the brink of a life change that he excels at, and that we love to root for, or sometimes just get annoyed with. (Think ‘Barney’s Version’ for the latter).
This time Mr. G plays Mike a mediocre lawyer struggling to make ends meet when he hits upon a scheme to become the legal guardian of Leo an elderly wealthy client in the early stages of dementia just so that he can pocket the generous monthly carers fee. His passion in life, besides his own family, is volunteering as the Wrestling Coach for local high school team which is having as little success as his legal practice. Out of the blue Leo’s teenage grandson Kyle, who has run away from his druggie mother, turns up on the doorstep of the Seniors Home that Leo has been dumped into. Although it throws a spanner in the works of his cosy money making scheme, Mike nevertheless takes the withdrawn and sullen Kyle welcomes into his home and family until they can sort out what’s best for them all.
Turns out that this awkward young boy is actually a budding wrestling champ and by joining Mike’s team, every one’s future starts looking brighter, although not until after they have all been made to face up to deal with a few obstacles/problems that could wreck their cozy lives.
It’s a joyous gentle intelligent movie that follows the themes McCarthy’s previous movies where the protagonists lives were also turned on their heads with the arrival of total strangers. The perceptive screenplay is well written and provides some well-rounded characters for the talented crew of actors that include Bobby Cannavale (also in ‘The Last Station Agent’) as Mike’s best friend Terry, Amy Ryan (who wowed us all in ‘Gone Baby Gone’) and Mike’s wife, Jeffery Tambor dryer than ever as the droll Assistant Coach. And then there is young Kyle played by newcomer Alex Shaffer who was cast for his wresting skills but I think gave a great acting debut too.
A wonderful grown up pleasurable movie that I am so glad I saw after all.
★★★★★★★★
Click for Trailer
