Review of The Disappointments Room (2016) by Jsharbour — 17 Feb 2017

I rented this due to Kate Beckinsale, since I'll watch anything with her, but could not finish this dreadful movie--quit after 45 minutes. Her performance was awkward. There was no chemistry between the couple, where even a kiss in the car was awkward, with husband David (Mel Raido). Kate's facial expressions made me laugh because I imagined her thinking, repeatedly, "I'm going to KILL my agent...". The film just didn't work at all. Some of the dialog was very out of place, with an attempt at humor just sort of drowning (David's comment about his job being napping and playing Xbox). Kate's character, Dana, has an epic physique, sporting skin-tight jeans and platform shoes that definitely shows her off, and yet, this character never exercises: never goes to the gym, never jogs, doesn't even eat food someone in her physical shape would have to eat (high protein, etc). This might be a nitpick but it was distracting to me. SHE was distracting. Her sexiness actually hurt her scenes. Here's a mother who just lost a child, grieving. Why would she wear sexy clothes? Maybe that's just how Dana dresses. Okay, but she's a professional architect, not a model. She would wear professional clothes at work, and comfy clothes at home. I can't fault the director. I really can't. I'm just saying it distracted me from her performance which is a loss. I kept thinking, okay, okay, but DAMN, Kate! Is that fair? It's probably not fair. It's not sexist. No, I don't think women should wear boring clothes because of men. Not at all. But wear sexy clothes on date night, etc. Around the house? Nah. All I'm saying is, she wasn't cast well with her co-star, Mel Raido. She had no chemistry with him. So, why try to look sexy? Okay, enough of that...

I wanted badly to keep watching but I had to give up. The plot wasn't keeping my attention. I sort of rate movies based on whether I'd like to buy the Bluray, on the likelihood of repeat viewing. But even Kate's extraordinary body couldn't keep me watching. And I think that's what the director was counting on.