Review of I Want Someone to Eat Cheese With (2006) by Andy V — 20 Apr 2008

Fans of Jeff Garlin will be curious to see how well he stands without comic support from Larry David and Susie Essman his best friend and wife respectively from the HBO series "Curb Your Enthusiasm". The results are decidedly mixed.

While taking a much sweeter tone than "Curb", it tries to explore similar themes of failure of people to relate to each other in anything but superficial or selfish terms.

Garlin who wrote, directed, and co-produced this film could have benefited from rewriting many scense to make them seem more natural. Another round of edits could improve the pacing and flow of the movie, giving it a consistent rhythm.

While relying on many actors from "Curb" (Jeff's wife Marla Garlin is casting director for both) the film is unevenly cast .

Most the dialog is forced and unnatural. The actors appear to be reciting lines that have been memorized rather than internalized.

What a difference from the spontaneity of "Curb" where much of the dialogue has been improvised. The exceptjon is when Sara Silverman appears as a freaky soda-jerk. Ms SIlverman brings much needed attitude and freshness to the movie.

In fact the only time the movie truly comes to life is in the convenience store scene in which Jeff and Sarah Silverman improvise dialogue between ordinary people who have a chance encounter in the ailses of the store.

So all in all, you''ll find "Cheese" rather bland than nutty, rather mild than strong.

This cheese could have used some aging.