- Photos:
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- Running time:
- 80 minutes
- Cast:
- Julianne Nicholson -
- Sara Quinn
- Timothy Hutton -
- Professor Adams / Subject 30
- Ben Shenkman -
- Subject 14
- Christopher Meloni -
- R / Subject 3
- Frankie R. Faison -
- Subject 42
(0 ratings)
Grad student Sara Quinn (Julianne Nicholson) conducts interviews with a series of random men, both as an educational endeavor and as a way of finding closure for a harsh break-up with a nasty ex (John Krasinski, who also wrote and directed).
The buzz: Based on the short story collection by acclaimed late author David Foster Wallace, the project marks the directorial debut of “The Office” star Krasinski. Among the talented and recognizable actors on board as interview subjects are Timothy Hutton, Will Arnett, Bobby Cannavale, Max Minghella, Lou Taylor Pucci, Chris Messina, Will Forte, Dominic Cooper, Chris Meloni and Josh Charles.
The verdict: An actors’ exercise of extreme tedium, “Brief Interviews” proves how long 80 minutes can feel. Nicholson’s character remains an observer throughout a series of monologues, broken up by the occasional dialogue, all about men doing awful things. Sometimes humorous, sometimes repulsive, never insightful, the movie comes off like the work of an overeager college student. Among the actors, only Cooper is a standout, and captivates even as he delivers one of the film’s most unsettling interviews. Krasinski himself proves the weak link, unable to resist a juicy pivotal role—about as far from his TV character as he could get—but failing to capitalize on any of its nuances. The slight, stagey movie is no director’s showcase, but maybe Krasinski is taking it easy, getting familiar with the process and honing the craft to eventually dazzle with a real movie. Or maybe not.
Did you know? Although Krasinski spoke with and received a blessing from Wallace, the writer committed suicide shortly before the film was finished and never had a chance to see the final product.
[“Brief Interviews with Hideous Men” is also available through “IFC In Theaters,” a video on demand service from select cable providers.]
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AdamMcK from Venice - October 02, 2009 at 7:04 PM
At least he left "Infinite Jest" alone. Note to the rest of Hollywood: you should, too.
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