Manglehorn (2015)

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

Angelo Manglehorn (Al Pacino) is a locksmith in the small town of Crown Rock, Texas. He has some anger management issues and trouble with relationships, primarily because of his lost love Claire. Holly Hunt plays a bank teller who has caught his interest and Chris Messina plays his successful son, and their relationship would be marked as "needs improving."Manglehorn has created a prison for himself in his mind, trapped by a failed relationship, filled with "return to sender" letters.This is another bitter-sweet Al Pacino senior citizen drama. It is not a bad film, just void of action.Guide: No sex or nudity.I don't recall any F-bombs.Note to self: Don't overly praise a former girlfriend with your current girlfriend.

This film is way too monotonous, IMO. I liked the idea of a guy that can't get over the loss/absence of his true love. However, this is a very tedious and monotonous example of such a premise. Paul Dano's character shows up as an annoying acquaintance and ended up annoying me by the time his scene was over. Then another monologue (voice-over) by the locksmith played by Pacino (the one and only), and I am officially fed up with this movie. I give it 3 stars because this film is well acted, and was well photographed...had everything going for it really, except a story.

Eccentric Indie Director Green along with two Superb Actors, Al Pacino and Holly Hunter, deliver an almost Lost Art, the Character Study. Left to Low-Budget experimenters and Performers looking for an outlet Out of the Mainstream, this type of Film is becoming "Film Festival Fodder" and that is where the Genre finds the most Sympathetic Audience.Not Multiplex favorites and Mainstream Appeal is Lacking, it is this type that Rely on Reality and have been called "Slice of Life". The Film is filled with Offbeat Imagery and Dialog that seems Flat at First but Resonates nonetheless. Witness Manglehorn's Story about a Nun and some Children on a boat to explain His Atheism.Holly Hunter is simply Stellar in what amounts to a Supporting Role and Her Emotion is Heartbreaking and very Real. Two other People in Manglehorn's Life are included as Representative of why Pacino says in a half-hearted Throwaway Throwback Touchtone..."The World is Yours" (meaning I want nothing to do with it)...is His Son and a former Kid He coached in Little League. Both are Obnoxious and Manglehorn finds Them Barely Tolerable and Symbolic of People in General. That may be why when Holly Hunter says on Their First Date..."I'm a people person...I love life", Pacino Snaps and regresses to a Senior Moment of Disconnect.Overall, a Film for Refined Taste and Fans of Reality based Cinema with an Artistic Flare. Pacino and Hunter give Noteworthy Performances and the Movie is Rich with flavor.

Perhaps this isn't your typical Al Pacino movie, but just to see the man on the screen is incredible. He can take any role and make it fascinating. It was a pretty simple sorry with a very complicated character. An older man who was trying to start all over again, which could be hard for even the young at heart. He does a good job of showing us how eccentric the character has become. From the cats, to the meetings with Holly Hunter.I would recommend watching it if you are an Al Pacino fan and see a different side to the legend. I think you will be pleasantly surprised at his sheer skill especially since most of the movie revolves around him.