Eh. Meh. Okay. Sure. I'll always enjoy a movie with Jon Favreau on the screen – either as the main character or complimentary best friend role (The Break-Up comes to mind). He's lovable. You can't help but want to be his friend even when in the middle of a rage or feeling sorry for himself. I just like the guy. And I like the opportunity to support him as an actor / writer / director by buying or renting his movies. I'm a fan through and through of Faverau.
But, ugh, I just can't put this movie in the same pile as his other great movies (from independent flicks to Hollywood blockbusters). It just never went deep into the story or the characters. The story Good. Predictable. Sweet. A little too perfect. The acting Okay. Y'all wanted to hang out together in amazing food cities and enjoy great food — totally get it (think Couple's Retreat but for foodies — a group of Hollywood folks that found a way to get a studio to pay for a once-in-a-lifetime trip). Would it be better if Vince Vaughn joined at some point? Maybe. Why not?
It seems as though this was a very personal movie for Favreau — but he never really "let us in". The entire time I felt as though we were minutes if not seconds away from seeing his heart, passion and reason for making the film. It was so close. But it never got there. Is it about love? Kids? Cooking? Standing up for yourself? What? What do you want us to walk away with? I know there is an answer in there somewhere. I searched for the meaning. It just didn't get there.
If Jon was my buddy (a girl can dream, right?) I would sit down with him over a delicious meal (cooked by my man Matt of course) and a glass of wine and I would challenge him to cut half of the movie out and give it more passion. I would ask him what he was afraid of doing with the movie and to tackle it head on instead of relying of Sofia Vergara to smile us through it (she is gorgeous so I understand taking that route!)
It's a great start to what could be a great film.
Jon – it's just my opinion. I hope we can still be friends. :)
But, ugh, I just can't put this movie in the same pile as his other great movies (from independent flicks to Hollywood blockbusters). It just never went deep into the story or the characters. The story Good. Predictable. Sweet. A little too perfect. The acting Okay. Y'all wanted to hang out together in amazing food cities and enjoy great food — totally get it (think Couple's Retreat but for foodies — a group of Hollywood folks that found a way to get a studio to pay for a once-in-a-lifetime trip). Would it be better if Vince Vaughn joined at some point? Maybe. Why not?
It seems as though this was a very personal movie for Favreau — but he never really "let us in". The entire time I felt as though we were minutes if not seconds away from seeing his heart, passion and reason for making the film. It was so close. But it never got there. Is it about love? Kids? Cooking? Standing up for yourself? What? What do you want us to walk away with? I know there is an answer in there somewhere. I searched for the meaning. It just didn't get there.
If Jon was my buddy (a girl can dream, right?) I would sit down with him over a delicious meal (cooked by my man Matt of course) and a glass of wine and I would challenge him to cut half of the movie out and give it more passion. I would ask him what he was afraid of doing with the movie and to tackle it head on instead of relying of Sofia Vergara to smile us through it (she is gorgeous so I understand taking that route!)
It's a great start to what could be a great film.
Jon – it's just my opinion. I hope we can still be friends. :)