Lonesome Jim Reviews

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Little less lonesome

This is one of those funny little indie films where the characters are living tedious, depressed lives in mid-America, with little hope that anything much will change for them, and the protagonist goes on an existential journey waiting for something to happen or someone to come along to provide the catalyst for transformation.

I started out thinking that this was just going to be too flat and dull - these people are, with the exception of the mom and the nurse, exceptionally depressed - and I hovered over the Eject button a couple of times, wondering whether I'd had enough. BUT things started moving along - a few lines of great, funny dialogue, acute observation, nice bit of acting - and I stayed with it. It has to be said that only an actor of Affleck's capabilities and charm could sustain such interest, but it was worth making the journey with him.

Aside from very little going on in terms of action for much of the film, I think part of the difficulty of watching was that - well, his character reminds us of our own great well of potential unhappiness, and it's deeply uncomfortable to have that put in front of your face like a mirror. So it is genuinely heartening when his character finally discovers that it is the small things that sustain you, make your life what it is: acts of love, friendship and kindness, that sometimes it's better to stay than to escape, and the realisation that, ultimately you are the only one who can save yourself from despair.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Small town, big laughs

The eponymous Jim is a man plagued by ‘chronic despair’, while his brother is a failed suicide. This isn't much of a pitch but far from being a misery fest this is a very funny film indeed; its relentlessly downbeat humour maintains the tradition formed by directors like Jonathan Demme and Bob Rafelson.

Like any character driven piece this relies heavily on the cast and script. In the title role, Casey Affleck with his hangdog expression is just perfect, while Mary Kay Place as his confused mum and Liv Tyler playing his on/off girlfriend are both well up to snuff. The script along with the sense of place, is sharp as a pin probably helped by the fact that the film was shot not just in the writer’s town, but in his house.

This is an indie film only in the most literal sense as its characters are far removed from the insular mumblers normally associated with the genre. This is easily Buscemi’s best work yet, his assured direction provides a professional sheen without compromising the story’s gritty yet humorous nature.

ZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzz.....

There seem to be an infinite number of these dull films.

A Pretty Good Film

This film was easily watchable and a typical indie film where nothing really happens apart from changes inside the main character. I liked it because the viewer could empathise with the characters and nothing was hidden from view.

* * * This review contains spoilers * * *ShowHide

Little less lonesome

This is one of those funny little indie films where the characters are living tedious, depressed lives in mid-America, with little hope that anything much will change for them, and the protagonist goes on an existential journey waiting for something to happen or someone to come along to provide the catalyst for transformation.

I started out thinking that this was just going to be too flat and dull - these people are, with the exception of the mom and the nurse, exceptionally depressed - and I hovered over the Eject button a couple of times, wondering whether I'd had enough. BUT things started moving along - a few lines of great, funny dialogue, acute observation, nice bit of acting - and I stayed with it. It has to be said that only an actor of Affleck's capabilities and charm could sustain such interest, but it was worth making the journey with him.

Aside from very little going on in terms of action for much of the film, I think part of the difficulty of watching was that - well, his character reminds us of our own great well of potential unhappiness, and it's deeply uncomfortable to have that put in front of your face like a mirror. So it is genuinely heartening when his character finally discovers that it is the small things that sustain you, make your life what it is: acts of love, friendship and kindness, that sometimes it's better to stay than to escape, and the realisation that, ultimately you are the only one who can save yourself from despair.