Review of A Thousand Words (2012) by Maksim B — 01 Jan 2013

Clearly, among the reviews here, I'm out on a limb by myself on this one, but I like this movie! I don't know what expectations among others were not satisfied, but I came to this Eddie Murphy film thinking that I would have fun watching it, and I did!

If you're looking for something to take seriously, better look somewhere else - this is just frothy fun, with some helpful moral messages nicely fit in, along the lines of honesty, respect, and consideration towards others, and the importance of family.

And, there is some truly beautiful cinematography, wonderful use of light and colour in some scenes.

Eddie Murphy is wonderfully expressive, regardless of the medium - verbal, physical, or otherwise. Actor Clark Duke is delightful, with quick responsive wit, showing a depth of loveable comedic character as he plays Aaron Wiseberger, Murphy's character's assistant.

As the much lauded Roger Hebert, in his thorough put-down of this movie, appears to have missed several points of information that were shown clearly within the movie, I wonder whether he actually watched it, or does he have research assistants watch movies for him and pass along their comments?

Of course, there is plenty of absurdity in A Thousand Words, bits that don't make sense, but that's not a weakness, friends; that's a main point! This film is of a genre called C-O-M-E-D-Y. And some comedy, for the info of unfortunate folks raised on laugh-track sitcoms, is subtle, and some is just silly. There is a good serving of silly in this one.

Regardless, if you feel like enjoying a little light fun, with some actually important sentiments included, then forget the negative critics, whatever their agendas might be, give your rational, analytic mind a rest, go ahead on and enjoy this pleasant little morality-play comedy. Relax, have fun. Be happy. Life is a journey. Five pages is enough.