13 Conversations About One Thing Reviews

Quirky and intriguing

This is one of those films that features a number of different cross cutting stories which appear to be, but are not, happenning at the same time. Like a Robert Altman film or Magnolia, the characters appear in and influence the other stories. What links them is that they are all talking about happiness and the role of fate - how do we get happiness and how does it go away or is it given up? I really liked this film - I found the ensemble acting and multi layered storytelling to be refreshing. I also thought it raised some interesting and provoking ideas. However the stories themselves were uneven - the film is dominated by a strong performance by Alan Arkin as an ill tempered and vindictive insurance salesman who is also capable of kindness - in contrast the story featuring John Turturro felt less fully developed. The overall tone of the film was pessimistic - but I felt it was all the better for that!

[Highly rated reviewer]

A conversation piece?

A first rate cast, particularly Alan Arkin.

If you fancy watching a thoughtful, well paced, well put together film on the mystery of happiness and what is life about, then give this a go.

Don't watch it if you just want to switch off - the various stories going on interplay with each other, but not necessarily in the same timeframe. It's a film which needs to be watched not just viewed.

Watch it with others and it certainly has enough to generate post film conversations. Even if only of the "what the hell was that about" variety.

If you weren't depressed when you started watching this, you will be after it

Fortunately, I was going out for a jolly evening with friends after I watched this, otherwise I would have probably slit my wrists (joking)- it is one of the most depressing films I've ever seen, and even the excellent acting didn't redeem it for me. Who on earth financed this and who was the intended audience? beats me.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Enjoyable but !.....

I found this enjoyable, but it is a bit slow and morose, definately not an uplifting experience. For a bleak and steady, but fairly interesting, outlook on several intertwining life stories it isn't a bad film at all, but it won't improve your life much by watching it. A possible for your rental list but there are more winning stories like this out there.

booooooooooooooooring

So boring that I tried to watch it twice.....because the feedback was quite nice on this one....but I fell asleep twice :O( soooo.....no nice review for this one....

'Magnolia' but less Hollywood and more reality.

I enjoyed this film but it wasn't feelgood. The basic premise is that we are all looking for happiness which is always within our reach but out of our grasp because of the limiting way in which we approach the world. This film is populated by relatively ordinary people living believeable lives and falling into poigiant but ordinary traps which we all choose to spring in the search for something better (or more emotionlly real) than life as we experience it. A little depressing. Very good.

Interesting

This is an interesting film although not one for relaxing to, as you need to concentrate. Very wordy but with good acting, Alan Arkin is superb as an embittered working man. Worth watching as it stays with you for days.

very good

slow to start,stay with it and you

will be rewarded.great performance

by alan arkin.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Ponderous

Wasn’t too impressed with this. Crushed by the weight of its own worthiness. Screams out, “I am an independent film!” It’s a lightweight Neil Lebute and if you like him there’s a good chance you’ll like this. For me, even though the characters go through various traumatic issues, they all seem paper thin. Can’t say I cared much one way or the other about any of them.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Bored me out of my mind!

I've know idea why i was kind enough to give this 2 stars. It should only get one star if that. This film was a waste of my time.