We should just kind of ignore the fact that this is associated with the Raymond Carver short story. It’s really not even remotely similar. At all. Besides it being about an alcoholic, but it’s not like that’s anything new to Carver’s writing, or postmodernism in general. So here we have Will Ferrell in his breakout “serious” role, and yes it’s serious in the way that Will Ferrell isn’t bumbling around saying random lines to be quoted at middle school lunch tables. I wouldn’t say his performance is anything amazing here, but it’s a start. I think it shows that he has acting chops, and I would like to see him do something more daring than this film. The film itself is pretty good. It’s not anything that will change your life, but it’s good enough, and I think it is moving in small ways. It’s missing something though. Some spark or electricity that builds a film by connecting the scenes with a consistent emotion. I felt sympathy for Ferrell’s character, but that wasn’t enough. I think this film is lost in many ways. Perhaps it wasn’t in the oven long enough. It’s drab at worst, but watchable at best.
