Review of Be Kind Rewind (2008) by Johnny T — 01 Mar 2011

The movie is always simutaneously grounded and whimsically awesome--in the sense of inspiring awe. It's as if Gondry lets his performers settle into their parts and feel their way through their stories. It gives the film an ambling pace and a unique chemistry that bubbles with strange and unexpected flavors. The visual wit, game performances, and overflowing humanity have more than made up for the shortcomings by the time the film finds a final moment that's simultaneously abrupt and magical. At its best when it is at its most freewheeling -- when it tramples past logic, motivation and basic plausibility in its pursuit of a funny, whimsical kind of nonsense. Be Kind Rewind is a very good comedy that with a unique travel through movies and jazz music. A feel-good film with a gentle comic spirit.

VERDICT: "Matinée" - (Mixed reaction). These kinds of movies are usually movies that had some good things, but some bad things kept it from being amazing. This rating says to pay matinée prices to see at a theater or buy an ex rental or a cheap price of the DVD to own...