The Best and the Brightest (2010)
Set in the world of New York City's elite private kindergartens, The Best and the Brightest centers on a fresh-faced young couple, Samantha and Jeff, who have only recently moved into town. The comedy centers on their dawning realization of the lengths they must go to in order to get their five-year-old daughter into school.
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You won't be disappointed!
Great Film overall
Boring, over-political, tech fuzed mess
I am only giving this movie a 1 for the great cast, though I can't imagine what any of them were thinking. This movie was horrible
Sometimes it is enough to be clever rather than actually be talented in something. Sometimes you just do anything to get what you want. And that is what this couple is all about. The actors make this more fun than it actually has a right to be. Too many clichés, choices to interrupt conversations that do not make any sense (other than "being funny" and interruptive) and other stuff like that.The characters are simple and the setting is too. You'll see where this is going from very early on. Some nice jokes aside this might bore some people, if they are not convinced by the actors as well. Decent try, but needed work on script level.
The premise of this film had great promise, but it failed to be very amusing. Very little laughter in the audience (some folks walked out), undoubtedly due to the weak script and rather slow story line. The ending was predictable and old school. Evidently this was Michael Jaeger's first attempt at writing, but there was little that was clever or inventive. Some non sequiturs, such as when Clark texts Jeff while Jeff is standing at the podium: first we see Clark in the bar, and next he's riding comfortably in the back of a taxi or limo...all while Jeff reads his text aloud! I adore Amy Sedaris, but her acting seemed forced, while Neil Patrick Harris was little more than one-dimensional.All in all, a very disappointing movie.
Just saw this film at a small screening in Ambler PA with the writer/director on hand. It was the best thing I've seen all year. Funny, witty, fast paced, unpredictable, and NOT aimed at a bunch of hormonal 15 year old boys. This is a movie for grownups - open minded grownups.The plot about the parents' struggle to get their daughter into a tony kindergarten is almost secondary: what makes this film so brilliant are the characters. These are real people - as over the top as some of them are at times, these are real people, portrayed in a refreshing and open manner. The casting is brilliant; I honestly can't say who was my favorite performer because they were all outstanding in their roles from start to finish.See this movie, you'll be glad you did.
Saw an advanced screening of this movie with a Q&A afterward with Co-Writer/Director Josh Shelov. I was on-set during one of the scenes and I thought this would be an independent PG-13 comedy. Instead, it's a very heartfelt, R-rated comedy with excellent actors. First the movie, it was hilarious! People in the audience were laughing hysterically, so I wasn't alone. To me, there is four parts of this movie. Part 1, 2, and 4 are hysterical, and part 3 was pretty good, but not great. The writing by Josh Shelov and Michael Jaeger is witty, old-school, and just plain funny. It's been a while since I've seen a comedy that isn't sarcasm and too raunchy. This film is raunchy, yes, but in a good way. It's a farce, and a very good one. The story is very right-on and the situations are original and just hilarious. The acting ensemble, including Peter Serafinowicz (voice of Darth Maul/Pete in Shaun of the Dead), Jenna Stern, and Amy Sedaris, are great. Neil Patrick Harris isn't great but it's cool to see him play someone other than a womanizer like Barney. Bonnie Somerville carried the leading role more than Harris. She carried the film with her unique acting skills. Another scene stealer was Christopher McDonald (remember? Shooter MaGavin in Happy Gilmore). He is a very funny guy and he needs to stick with comedy and not those TNT shows. Overall, funny movie. If I say anymore about the story, I'll spoil it. I'm saying, anyone would be up for a real surprise. After the film, Josh Shelov spoke to everyone in the audience. I asked him a few questions. He is witty and original guy, and if you ever see an advanced screening with a Q and A with him, ask him about his big break. It's a very fascinating and appalling story. See this movie...