Review of Charlie Countryman (2013) by Andrei D — 04 May 2014

Well, it certainly shows promise. For most of the run time, the film seems like it could be trying to be a condemnation of foolish idealism, naiveté (foolish American idealism and naiveté?),and the 'Love conquers all' cliche, but it's all undone by the films ending which feels like the biggest cheat on the audience I've seen in a good deal of time.

The acting is top notch for the most part. Shia Lebeouf is quite possibly the best we are ever going to see him as the green behind the ears, pathetic, but still likable American Charlie who has the unique gift of being able to talk to the dead (although this doesn't play much of a role in the film, interestingly enough).

Mads Mikkelson and Til Schweiger are fantastic as scary and brutal gangsters that are out for Charlie's blood for several different reasons. Rupert Grint and James Buckley are completely unlikeable as tourists who's only interests are how many drugs can be consumed in one night.

The romantic aspect of the film didn't work for me, since Evan Rachel Wood and Shia Lebeouf have ZERO chemistry. While Charlie Countryman starts out as a charmingly weird film with potential, by the end it's morphed into something of a far far lesser quality.