Rating: 
Summary: Coming of age with emotional neglect...
Review: Jason "Igby" Slocumb, jr., a 17-year old misfit with a sense of irony, is struggling with his emotionally aloof family where his father has been institutionalized, his mother is a pill-popping self-centered person, and his brother is a cutthroat Republican. After Igby's several rebellious achievements he has been expelled from most Prep Schools on the East Coast and is finally sent to a military academy in order to be "dealt" with. However, Igby escapes this too by dropping out of school and he dodges his uncaring family by setting up a bohemian life style through which he meets several characters that become his new existential foundation. Igby Goes Down is a dark, witty, and intelligent film about Igby and his escapades as he is coming of age and struggles with emotional neglect. As the story unfolds walls are shattered which leaves the audience to analyze Igby's experiences as they appear, and in the end the audience is left dwelling.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent "Catcher"
Review: "Igby" has a quick wit and darkly comic mentality that set it apart from just about everything I've seen lately. Unlike most black comedies that are anything but funny, "Igby," partly due to its terrific cast, delivers a funny, sardonic, surprisingly poignant look at a very messed up family.
If it is a rip-off of "Catcher in the Rye," at least it's a good one. Despite a lack of confidence on my part with the acting abilities of Ryan Phillipe and Kieran Culkin, they delivered great performances, as did Susan Sarandon, Claire Danes and a host of peripheral characters.
Rating: 
Summary: Dreck
Review: I had to post a review after seeing that the Amazon editors chose this empty, unwatchable movie as one of the best DVDs of 2003. Who are these editors? This movie doesn't simply lack a heart, it doesn't have a head, either. It pretends to be clever and edgy, but it's derivative without even understanding what it's trying to imitate. Try to care about the characters in this film--it's not possible. Don't waste your time with this steaming turd of a movie. Instead, read (or reread) Catcher in the Rye; or watch Rushmore, Tadpole, Harold & Maude, or Donnie Darko. Do situps in a dark room, or just watch bowling on TV while eating some pork rinds. Any of these options will be time better spent than watching this hollow cadaver of a "comedy."
Rating:
Summary: Kieran grows up
Review: Most people remember Kieran Culkin as Fuller from the Home Alone movies or the little brother in the Father of the Bride flicks or simply as playing young Mac in several movies. But in '02, Kieran really began to come into his own. With lead roles in Igby and Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys. He really is one of the greatest actors that young Hollywood has to offer. His talent is really unbelievable here. He really immersed himself in the role of aimless Igby, and the cast around him (including legends Susan Sarandon and Jeff Goldblume, and gen-Xers Ryan Philipe and Claire Danes) pale in comparison for me in terms of the standout performance by Kieran. I really think that he is on the fast track to stardom and is finally being recognized for his talent. I also see his younger brother Rory (who was excellent in You Can Count on Me) following in his footsteps.
Rating: 
Summary: a stylish minimilist modern apartment of a movie
Review: to all of the people who refer to this movie as 'unique' and 'unformulaic'- this is actually a very 'in vogue' piece of filmaking which in my opinion takes all too few risks. like so many other pseudo Wes/PT Anderson-wannabe outings (the secretary, donnie darko spring to mind) this film lacks a 'heart' to go with its 'head' unlike the films of these two genuinely great directors. the script is actually nowhere near as wry and awkward as it thinks it is and the ground travelled by the leading characters is ultimately not worth a mention.
this seems to be the accepted mould for fringe film-making these days - not really comedies, not really dramas - instead occupying some strange cukoo land where families are dysfunctional, sentences are broken and suicide is painless. in other words there is a wilful effort on the part of the film-maker to steer clear of the 'emotion traps' laying in wait for his characters at every turn but does this really reflect our lives? where did the heart go from indie filmmaking.....?
Rating:
Summary: Complete Utter Boredom
Review: This movie is compared to Salinger's "Catcher In The Rye." I was mortified when I saw the movie. I am a great fan of Salinger and to think you can compare this movie to any of his novels (especially "Catcher In The Rye") just makes my stomach turn. I thought it was a complete waste of time and talent.
Rating:
Summary: Culkin in the Rye
Review: I love this movie. It made me feel bad and good at the same time. Yes, it's been compared to "The Catcher in the Rye", but once you see Kieran Culkin act you'll know he's the perfect Holden Caulfield. However, J.D. Salinger never got this warped and funny. The other actor that amazed me is Bill Pullman. Is this the same man who played Lonestar in "Spaceballs"? His character is so sad here, rarely appearing, but maintaining a strong presence in Igby's life. There are at least six memorable characters in "Igby", and that's what makes a movie for me. Too many films rely on plot or gimmicks and only include one or two decent characters. But here it all works. Jeff Goldblum and Susan Sarandon are wicked, Claire Danes makes a beautiful blonde, and they even got Culkin's brother Rory to play Igby in the flashbacks. It just gels together. Good soundtrack, great location shots. I'd keep an eye on this director.
Rating:
Summary: DON'T BOTHER
Review: Igby Goes Down is a miserable, Catcher in the Rye-esque piece of crap. That said, there are some good performances and a couple of inspired moments in the movie. Still, better off just not to waste the time watching it (I'll do double duty for us both by watching and writing about it.)I was drawn in by two actors being involved: Kieran Culkin, who was great in The Cider House Rules, and Amanda Peet, who shined in Identity. Unfortunately, Culkin--who strikes me as trying to be too much like Tobey Maguire's (a former co-star of Culikn's in Cider House) character from The Ice Storm--is vastly outshone by his little brother Rory. Amanda Peet is thoroughly wasted on a bad role. On the other hand, Jeff Goldblum does a very good job playing an immoral philandering lawyer. Likewise Ryan Phillippe turned in the surprise performance of the movie as Igby's hopelessly numb and conflicted older brother. Igby Goes Down is a movie about waspish angst, suffering and the struggle between cowardice and freedom. But why put yourself through this? Make like Igby and walk away.
Rating:
Summary: Kieran proves to be a really good actor
Review: I was really impressed with this movie. I was pleasantly suprised by the realism in Igby's charachter. I think his disillousionment (where's spell check when you need it) with life at a young age is a familiar place for many people in society. Igby's search for meaning and validation through traditional sources prove to be futile as they are, when in reality if his family relationships had been dealt with earlier in life, he would have never ended up in such a mess. I was overjoyed at Kieran's acting ability, despite his relationship to Home Alone boy. Beware this is not a "feel good" movie.
Rating: 
Summary: good but you shouldnt watch this again
Review: the first view of this one if great but ones who see it again and again and again are gonna get bored out of their frickin skull. Culkin does a great job as Igby. Phillippe and Danes spark good supportees. Bill Pullman is gold and on the money as the skitzo dad. I was glad when Phillippe put a plastic wrap over Sarandon's head, she was annoying and Peet sheds some chest scenes as well
|
