Review of Men, Women & Children (2014) by Tatsuhito K — 10 Oct 2014

A movie about technology overload, social isolation, how media affects and sets the standard for one's beauty, neglected youth and struggling adults directed by Jason Reitman (Juno, Up in the Air) and starring some of the finest and well-known actors from the business? Sounds like my cup of tea.

Well, wish I could still say the same thing. There is not a single bad performance in "Men, Women & Children" (based on a book by Chad Kultgen). The result, however, feels like a college lecture taught by a teacher's assistant who isn't familiar with the subject. So many plots go so many directions, lots of sexual references, texting, staring at computer & cellphone screen, teenage sex, watching porn, etc, the preaching goes on and on and on even after the movie loses its trajectory and potential. Just like his melodramatic predecessor "Labor Day", Reitman's ambitious attempt ends up being tedious and emotionally exhausting. "Men, Women & Children" is a missed opportunity. SIGH.