This film has been described as a “cloying piece of hokum.” Hooooo-kay.
I tend to disagree. Maybe I’m just a sucker for the subject matter (I am, sorta) but I think this flick may be one of Kevin Smith’s best.
I’m not an Affleck fan. He ranks in my book somewhere between Jim Carrey and Pauly Shore. Oddly enough he was actually believable in this flick. It probably had something to do with the character: a spoiled rich guy who has to come down from on high and live among all us little people. Gee, wonder why he could play that part so well? Liv Tyler nearly ruins the flick – as she does in every film I’ve ever seen her in – and most of the View Askew crowd get their cameos: Damon, Jason Lee, the guy who played Coey in Chasing Amy, etc.
From time to time some of the old magic showed through, witty repartee and snide remarks. Mostly it was a quirky sort of love story between a father and daughter. Nothing wrong with that if done well and I think this one was done better than most.
It’s kind of sad to say it but this was one of the best flicks I’ve seen in 2004. All bets are on hold now with Hellboy merely three days away and The Alamo a week after that. Maybe the movie season is finally starting to heat up.