Review of I ♥ Huckabees (2004) by Spencer J — 21 Aug 2012

Co-written and directed by David O Russell, I Heart Huckabees is an oddball swirling mess of nonsense that culminates in not very much yet somehow manages to be lightly entertaining and mostly likeable throughout.

The plot, term applied loosely- centre's around Albert Markovski (Schwartzman), a scatterbrained young man who seeks out the help of existential detectives Bernard (Hoffman) and Vivian (Tomlin) in an attempt to help understand the meaning of himself, his actions and the universe as a whole.

A befits the constant surrealism, the film then branches off in seemingly every direction, juggling and mixing characters and situations together with a sense of random abandon. Mark Wahlberg and Naomi Watts both give enjoyably wacky turns while Jude Law's self obsessed 'Brad Stand' gives the agreeable air of an actor not averse to a spot of self deprecating humour.

I Heart Huckabees won't help you unravel the mysteries of the universe, or allow you to come to terms with your own place within it, but it does successfully point the finger at some of the absurdities of everyday life while keeping religion off the menu and making some fun observations in the process.

Perhaps an acquired taste for many, but in surrendering to the madness you can allow yourself to have a good time doing so. 3/5.