Review of Brief Interviews with Hideous Men (2009) by David J — 12 Mar 2010

David Foster Wallace's Brief Interviews with Hideous Men is brought to the big screen by first-time director, Office-star John Krasinski (who also has a small role in the film). Brief Interviews comes from literary and brainy subject matter .

.. but it didn't translate into a good movie. The screenplay was my biggest complaint with the film since a larger-chunk of the actors were fine (Frankie Faison had a very nice scene as did Christoper Meloni who were probably my two standouts) while a few flailed about grasping for something to hold onto as they were lost in the too heady dialogue.

Most of the actors in this film are ones you have seen before ... but we just don't know their names. I am a fan of Julianne Nicholson (Kinsey, Tully) but I had a hard time with her here because of the dreadful little boy haircut -- I don't get this fad at all! I absoultely hate when the words coming out of a character's mouth SOUND like written dialogue .

.. and that is most definitely what we get here. In a very short film (clocking in at a mere 72 minute runtime), I asked my self many times "who says that?" or "who talks like that?".

I listened and what was said isn't terrible IF I were reading a book; but to come from ignorant, hideous men ... it was just too much. I think the director is trying for something he doesn't quite reach -- because the film is meaningless and it isn't supposed to be.

Uh ... what? Uhm ... okay. Uh ... humm ... no, I don't think so. I think the film wants to shock us with some of its ideas; but it doesn't. I was never truly convinced with anything some of these people said.

I don't think the men are the only thing hideous here ... happy viewing! :(.