Customer Reviews

Full Grown Men

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

There's an appealing underdog quality at work in the indie comedy "Full Grown Men." The concept of the man-child has been explored endlessly--mainly in big budget romantic comedies where men are afraid to commit to a relationship or, indeed, to adulthood. You can always see where these movies are headed--growth, understanding, maturation, and redemption. It's time to put away the clown shoes and put on your big boy pants, so to speak. The refreshing thing about "Full Grown Men" is that while it is certainly headed in that direction, at least it takes a varied path. For this isn't a romantic comedy, it's played as a buddy comedy.

The man-child in question is played by Matt McGrath. McGrath is likable, thankfully, despite his haircut! When he walks out on his family after another argument about his immaturity, he starts to reflect on better days growing up. Reconnecting with his childhood pal (Juday Friedlander), he starts to understand how his playful taunts may have been less than appreciated. The two head out on a wacky roadtrip--Friedlander is a special needs teacher going to pick up an award and McGrath insinuates himself into the equation. Through random encounters and much bickering, McGrath starts to.....oh, you know already. Part of his education is provided by Friedlander's students and, although it gets close, it's more genuine and less cloying than you might imagine.

I did smile through much of the film, but it was a bit slight in the long run. The drama felt a little thin and the humor a little forced. Not a bad movie, it's a pleasant enough encounter. It's just not really going to resonate for me beyond the initial viewing. Judah Friedlander did play refreshingly against type, and his understated work was the strongest element in "Full Grown Men." Amy Sedaris and Alan Cumming provide inspired moments of insanity in bit roles--but it is these wild swings into outrageousness that maintain a somewhat uneven tone in this small film. Worth a look--I'd say especially for Friedlander. KGHarris, 10/10.

Coming of age takes longer for some. This film belies its low-budget indie background. Great acting by many new up and comers, as well as a blast from the past or two.

Diretor/photographers really take advantage of the Florida color saturation to create a film that has an incredible, rich color palette -- somthing you don't often see in cinema.

Well worth the time, and the bucks.

The male lead here makes me want to slap him, he is so annoying. Not only his dumb haircut, but the attempts to be 'childlike' are just annoying. He can't grow up? Is that supposed to be a good thing? They shot this low budget indie mostly in south Florida and along Alligator Alley. I know because I live there. However, they get the geography wrong and this will turn off Florida viewers. They are on the way to "Diggetyland." But somehow they go by way of Tarpon Springs, which is 400 miles north on the west coast. They also visit Weeki Wachi, which is nearby. But anyone going to Disney knows you don't go that direction from Miami. Duh.... This thing is short at least. Debbie Harry (Blondie) has a short role.

This film despite the high hopes I had for it, ended up being painfully average; yet still watchable. It's basically about a guy who leaves his family and goes on this road trip to try and recapture his youth. He does this by reconnecting with an old friend (played by a pretty decent Judah Friedlander) and trekking to 'Diggityland' which is an amusement park of sorts from his childhood. Of course as is with any road film... there's plenty of odd characters and side stories that develop on the way.

First thing I want to mention about this movie is that visually it's very crisp and nicely shot in a digital sort of way... which I found as a nice surprise for a low budget movie like this. This is a good sign that as digital video gets more advanced and lowers in price; even low budget stuff can look really nice and polished. Now to get back on track... the movie itself could use some work. The main character isn't really the best actor and the character he plays is absolutely unlikeable... he manages to be annoying and crass without eliciting hardly any actual laughter. If you're gonna play an unlikeable character you should at least make that character interesting or intriguing in some way. The story sticks pretty close to what the plot tells you it is... not too many surprises.

I think my major gripe here is that I was thinking I was going to have this fun nostalgic romp and it just seemed to go through the motions a little too much for my taste; and because of that I never really got fully into it. It's still a decent movie, and I think it's worth a rent especially if you enjoy road movies; just don't expect greatness. 3/5 stars.

The premise of the movie is great, ie: We all have to grow up, and look what happens if we choose not to. I realize, yea, this movies budget must have been like $10,000 or something, but for me it was a waste of 1 hour and 18 minutes( yes it's very short). I know hollywood is a jungle and it's hard to make a buck, but I still can't understand how very good actors and actresses end up making a movie like this. I mean it has Joie Lee in it...you know Joie Lee right??? She's Spike Lee's sister, she was great in "Mo' Better Blues"....I mean should have been nominated for supporting actress great. The acting is like read your lines surfacey, no depth anywhere, characters show up and then are gone....where did they go??? I give it one star, and can't think a good reason to watch it.

I received this movie as a gift and was delighted to find that everyone I watched it with has been enjoying the comedy and charm of this film.

Indy film "full grown men" visits the mind of Alby Cutrera, who is kicked out of his house by his wife because it's often difficult to tell who's younger; Alby or his young son. With nothing better to do, he decides to revisit his childhood, when times were perfect, mermaids were real, and moose could talk. Alby talks his schoolhood friend Elias, who has a completely different view of their shared experiences as children, into taking him to Diggityland, because Elias is going that way anyway. When Elias tries to get through to him, Alby remains stuck in the past as he now believes it was. Even when he is confronted with some ugly information about one of his childhood heroes, he is still unwilling and unable to leave his childhood behind. Alby's attempt to revisit those perfect days does, finally, show him that one can't really go back, and, maybe, in the process he grows up a little. Maybe...

I love this movie. It's funny and heartfelt and serious at the same time, and has brilliant performances -- particularly from Judah Friedlander, who absolutely stole the show for me when I saw it at the Tribeca Film Festival premiere (long before he turned up in my favorite TV show (30 Rock) by the way), and Alan Cumming, who I'd like to see more of. He's such a great actor. How come he's not in more movies? Hopefully these filmmakers will put him (and Judah) in their next movie.

Honestly? I bought this movie because Amy Sedaris is in it for about five seconds. Turns out that Judah Friedlander is a decent actor outside of 30 Rock. If I remember right, this movie isn't very expensive and is a fun indie comedy. Nothing very inappropriate in it and definitely worth seeing.

Hello to all, I was able to see this picture before it was released on DVD, Let me just say the story was outstanding! The action and drama where a perfect combination along with a entertating and fun loving plot. it a must see and I give it a A+++ rating for its performance, buy it today you won't be dispointed! I know it is not rated, but I did take my 10 year old to see it and he loved it too!!!! Randy N