Review of Brad's Status (2017) by Dawdlingpoet — 28 Nov 2021

This is pretty typical Ben Stiller fare. Although its categorised as a comedy, it certainly isn't an obviously laugh out loud funny type of a film, so I'd question labelling it a comedy. However, there are a few moments which I suppose made me smirk a bit. Its another sort of life reflective, somewhat philosophical (without being too deep), not quite maudlin but not entirely far away from that either. The main character, Brad, is someone the viewer is clearly meant to feel sorry for but I wasn't especially convinced by the performance Stiller gave. However, nonetheless it was a pretty easy watch and I suppose I imagine others would enjoy it more than I did. I didn't think it was entirely memorable as such but others may disagree - perhaps its more aimed at parents of adolescents soon set to leave home, as the plot is mostly about Brads son looking to go to college.

I thought Jenna Fischer and Michael Sheen gave alright performances but otherwise, there isn't much to say about it, although I did find the instrumental music played in the background quite distracting and irritating at times. There is plot development but it felt painfully slow to me.

I wouldn't especially recommend it as such, no.