I Heart Huckabees

Year: 2004

Grade: B

Country: USA

Director: Russell

Review

it’s a fun film that sort of reminded me of an american version of “discreet charm of the bourgeoisie.” first i want to mention that mark wahlberg may have been laughed at in the past, but when the guy gets a good role he nails it, and this film is no exception. it’s easy to write him off as marky mark and just a good looking calvin klein model trying to crossover, but his work in this, boogie nights, three kings, and fear show he’s better than he may get credit for. i think his biggest problem is taking shitty roles, but you can’t blame a guy too much for that. the film is pretty light despite the potentially heavy subject matter. all the philosophy in the film has serious implications, but is used more as a comedic device than anything else. while i was watching it i tried to ask what russell wanted me to get from the film and i just didn’t see it being a film about exploring different philosophical possibilities (like my dinner with andre or waking life). if one wanted then i’m sure one could glean something valuable from the different philosophies that are thrown about, but the film isn’t really about presenting a cohesive philosophy of its own. there are surrealist elements to the film that make it fresh and different. the acting is also fresh and lively. there’s no better way to describe the film than “fun.” .

Watched in theater