Review of Take This Waltz (2011) by Todd S — 22 Jul 2012

I got sucked into seeing another relationship movie starring Michelle Williams, in hopes that something else could be as brilliant as "Blue Valentine". I really wanted to love this movie, but instead it left me feeling rather tepid.

The movie examines infidelity under a microscope in a way that is not usually done in Hollywood films. So the writer deserves credit there. Michelle Williams is her usual brilliant self, and the dialogue isn't horrible. However, despite the possibly explosive subject matter, the writer/director choose to abandon realism for tiresome over-stylization. (The swimming pool scene? Come on.) Also, I had a huge problem with an important scene late in the movie but will refrain from detailing it to avoid spoilers.

Then, there's the presence of Seth Rogan. Am I really supposed to believe that he's a quietly domesticated cookbook writer? Sorry, it doesn't work for me; his presence is justified in Judd Apatow bromance movies, but not here. Maybe the director and the writer were compromising and trying to get some more star power, and I'm sure he sold some tickets, but the comedic note he intrinsically brings felt out of place with such dark subject matter.

The unexpected surprise was Sarah Silverman, who's late film monologue stole the show and has stuck with me long after the rest of this film. Sadly, three stars is a stretch for this movie. The good news is that Blue Valentine is still amazing :).