Manny Lewis (2015)

Very interesting film. Was caught on the premise when seeing the trailer but unsure as to what the outcome would be for the showing. As it turns out, it was a very good film.

I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

Not sure how, but this is easily one of the best movies all summer. Multiple levels of funny, never takes itself seriously, super colorful, and creative.

Manny Lewis is fun little movie with a simple plot that is easy to follow. The story is nothing new, and follows a successful comedian who wants to meet a woman, and then he meets a woman and some things happen. There are bits of comedy and bits of drama, some happy moments and some sad moments.There's not much in the way of side plots, and the story at times seems overly simplistic, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. The story flows quickly from one scene to the next, with nothing added to pad out the running time. We want to know what happens next and we don't have to wait. The main character is the focus of almost every single scene, which keeps things flowing nicely. The film is short and fun and not too long. And although it is pretty predictable, it is still very enjoyable.Additionally, it was very nice to see Carl Barron in an acting role. I'm a big fan of his stand-up work, so it was a real treat to watch him in a film. He's actually a pretty decent actor. The film incorporates much of the comedian's work into it, showing him performing onstage. I probably would have rated this film a full star lower if it had featured any other actor in the lead role (if I had even watched it at all) but thankfully it does not.

Sure it's a predictable Romantic Comedy, but it felt less contrived and more real, especially the first half. It's no Hollywood blockbuster but was such a joy to watch and seemed more authentic. Until the usual rom-com ending but that's always expected so it wasn't so bad. Also, in a way, it was a bit deeper than I expected as it touched on that everyday dreary misery and loneliness and how the cycle can be played out in normal situations. Also on past hurts and how that can create a twist in us, especially when things aren't going are way. Although these weren't heavily explored it definitely added depth to the characters and allowed me to connect with them so much more than i expected. Carl's acting is great and the humour isn't over the top. The leading lady was gorgeous but also played perfectly and not exaggerated and exhausting, but just quirky and simple and although there was no backstory to her, there was enough to care for her character. The music was also great with a favourite of mine by husky in there. Short and sweet, it leaves you with a smile!

I think we Americans, have become too jaded, by being fed a constant barrage of films without much substance. I mean, when is the last time that you came out of a screening, not only feeling better than good about the world, but really happy about the investment of just 89 Minutes? This was such a film. Although the film is based on a fictional character, a comedian, who also writes novels, we, immediately bond with the protagonist, and find ourselves living in his world, happily. I know men who would give up their right (you pick the body part) to have what this guy has, already, despite being brought up by a father who was a "martinet", at best, and a mother who committed suicide when he was just a boy. You know how you were rewarded at the end of "Love Actually"? When everybody gets what you hoped they deserved? This is such a film! It's a chick-flick for guys, that are in touch with their ying-yang, and know a good woman when they meet one. Admittedly, I've been looking for a woman like our female lead, all my life. That's why I give this film a TEN!

The film was done very well, considering that sometimes, lower Australian production values can impact certain areas of the film, with this film, no such issues. It was an interesting film that told an interesting story about a stand up comedian, and I believe it was done in such a way that it adds some perspective to the fact that our favourite comedians are people too, and that a lot of the humour in our lives comes at laughing at the expense of others, and often with stand up comedians, at themselves. This is a message that is hammered home throughout, and was overall, very heartwarmingly told.The acting was superb, and the dialogue was hilarious, a few subtle jokes for fans of Carl's stand up. Though it told a real and good story, it was still executed very comedically and was very funny. Though the story may in some cases appear to have some clichéd elements to it (the loss of the 10th star in my opinion), that would be up to an individual viewer to determine, and for others I watched the film with, they found it no issue, and sometimes were surprised, expecting clichés in some places.Overall, well worth a watch, not only for fans of Carl Barron, but because it is quite a funny movie.