Truly dreadful movie. We walked out after an hour - and we almost never do that. Murray plays... actually I don't know what he was doing. I'm not sure he did either. Incredibly insulting stereotypes of everyone, Americans, Afghans, military, women - everyone. Yikes.
3
Saw the movie this afternoon. Dargis must have seen a different film then I did.
Biting satire with great performances all around. Terrific soundtrack.
Biting satire with great performances all around. Terrific soundtrack.
4
Pah, not every movie has to be a moral statement. Bill Murray was great, there was a feel good message, and its based on a true story. Get real!
2
"(Bruce Willis — what a waste!)"
I've been saying that for about 30 years, but much of the public and a few of the less discerning movie critics keep giving him a pass.
I've been saying that for about 30 years, but much of the public and a few of the less discerning movie critics keep giving him a pass.
1
You misread the intent of the line: "The talented Mr. Willis is put to poor use by this movie, playing a cliche mercenary."
Isn't Bill Murray a little old to be playing a fool man-child? And Kate Hudson is supposed to find him attractive? No wonder people are watching television.
16
From the politically correct derisive tone of the reviewer, it seems that this film regardless of how bad it may be, must have some how communicated a taboo truth that our 1% media does not want the general populace to be aware of. Probably it justly criticizes a not lily white European culture in some way which strangely seems to threaten the established order by the heretically "blaming the victim" (alleged victim). The 1% globalist fear probably is that if none European elites are exposed to the level of progressive criticism that political and social leaders are hit with in the "west", that a thus achieved sufficient level of humiliation might case them to actually reform their failed state societies. And so, God forbid, because of lack of massive country of origin poverty/violence 'push' third world nations like Afghanistan would no longer provide a perpetual flood of slave-wage immigrants for our Sanctuary City elites to exploit.
8
Completely opaque.
7
frankly, a convoluted argument
5
I have no idea what you're trying to say. See the movie and get back to us. The reviewer was actually trying to find something to write about in a movie devoid of meaning.
2
Oy. This is the same Barry Levinson who gave us "Diner" and "Tin Men", in addition to "Wag the Dog", and a few other intelligent movies? Maybe he just needs another payday? Even if that's the case, this is sinking pretty low: a virtual remake of "Stripes", i.e. another "Bill Murray as Bill Murray" film. Personally, I think Murray is often quite good (see, e.g. "Mad Dog and Glory" with Murray and Robert De Niro) but he does need better material than this to work with, IMHO.
6
Bill Murray is a national treasure that has been squandered.
11
I'll see this eventually because - Bill Murray!!!!!
14
Bad writing can and will destroy any movie, no matter who's in it. Murray and Willis together in this piece of
****? So disappointing.
****? So disappointing.
7
Wow, what a waste of a cast! I'm faulting the script. You can have the best actors in the world on a project, but if the plot is putrid and the words are weak, the actors languish in anguish. Afghanistan? At least make up a fictional failed, Muslim narco-state. Don't use the real one. Ugh.
9
Several Murray movies require a certain mindset to truly appreciate. Most film critics of NYT caliber don't have it. I'll have to go see for myself.
10
Bill Murray has become a very self-indulgent "performer." A director with backbone needs to reign him in.
6
he's tremendously overrated. he's played essentially the same character for the past few years, making no effort at all. if you want to see an actor who continually stretched and re-invented himself, re-watch a robin williams film.
15
Oh. Gross. These old Hollywood coots need to watch a few of the new TV shows like Transparent, OistheNB, Orphan Black and Grace & Frankie. That's where it's happening, baby.
9