Review of The Mysteries of Pittsburgh (2008) by Ceph J — 10 Aug 2009

I tried reading the novel by Michael Chabon in 1988 but couldn't get into it. I was curious to see the movie version to see if I missed anything. Apparently, not. The movie doesn't have a pay off but has potential.

Jon Foster plays Art who works in a dead-end job by fucking his boss (Mena Suvari--couldn't she find anyone more interesting than this wetbag). He's studying to be a stockbroker but is distracted.

He comes from a broken home and has a strained relationship with his father (Nick Nolte overacting with this eyes widening). Then he meets Jane (Sienna Miller who's very good and sexy here) and her boyfriend, Cleveland (Peter Sarsgaard whose role is underwritten).

Foster is attracted to both of them but the movie treats his bisexuality as a fact of life. Unfortunately, the movie ends with Sarsgaard set up by Nolte and there's a weak chase and then the movie ends by one character falling off a building.

What's going on here? I'm assuming the screenplay left many explanations and motivations on the edit floor. Too bad because we're only left with potential for a good melodrama. Ho, hum.