For many years we haven’t added a new category. It is time to spice it up around here! Since building and then moving into our new home, one of our favorite rooms in the house is the theater. We love watching movies, television, and are interested in pop culture in general. We feel this is where luxury lifestyle and current culture collide. So, in keeping with the spirit of Exotic Excess, but adding another layer of enjoyment, we are going to have a weekly “Theater Thursday Review.”
Over the weekend, we had the pleasure of watching the movie Are You Here, starring Owen Wilson, Zach Galifianakis and Amy Poehler. The plot of the movie revolves around when an off-the-grid best buddy Ben Baker (Zach Galifianakis) inherits his estranged father’s fortune, womanizing local weatherman Steve Dallas (Owen Wilson) joins forces with him to battle the legal challenge brought by Ben’s formidable sister (Amy Poehler), in the big-screen directorial debut from “Mad Men” creator Matthew Weiner.
First, our take on the movie seems to differ from what is out there. Critics have ripped this little movie apart. Frankly, this movie is smart and although it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea (the unfortunate side effect for smart movies), it is very enjoyable. We’re guessing it was done on a small budget. There are no big explosions. There’s no comedic gags or gross humor. That leaves you with a smartly written movie that requires you to think and feel. There are laughs, but they are gentle.
Poehler, Wilson and Galifianakis beautifully embody diverse characters that are each working through various personal pains. There are laughs in the movie, but they are not slap-your-knee, belly-laugh inducing laughs. Rather, if you are closely listening to Weiner’s beautifully written dialogue, then you will probably smile and nod your head while you follow along with the smart humor. We appreciated that the main characters were layered, and as a viewer, you have to be patient to appreciate the character development.
If you’ve ever lost a loved one, had fundamental differences with family or just had that one best friend who took care of your in your time of need, you will love this movie.
