Genre: Comedy | Drama
Director: Jason Reitman
Starring: Kaitlyn Dever, Rosemarie DeWitt, Ansel Elgort
Writer: Chad Kultgen (novel), Jason Reitman
MEN, WOMEN & CHILDREN follows the story of a group of high school teenagers and their parents as they attempt to navigate the many ways the internet has changed their relationships, their communication, their self-image, and their love lives. The film attempts to stare down social issues such as video game culture, anorexia, infidelity, fame hunting, and the proliferation of illicit material on the internet. As each character and each relationship is tested, we are shown the variety of roads people choose – some tragic, some hopeful – as it becomes clear that no one is immune to this enormous social change that has come through our phones, our tablets, and our computers. (C)
Men, Women & Children is a depressing yet heavy-handed statement on our current, technologically ensnared culture. We are connected to our wireless devices while disconnected from our loved ones. The ensemble cast is everywhere and goes nowhere. Between Jennifer Gardner, J.K. Simmons, and Judy Greer among others, Adam Sandler was the most interesting and symbolic of the movie not succeeding. In a mellow and focused performance, Mr. Sandler was almost unrecognizable in Men, Women & Children and somewhat out of place. I’m glad he is trying something new which he should be recognized for attempting to do. Many of the characters, if not all, have issues with relational brokenness and hide behind this flaw with an addiction to the Internet/technology/social media. There is a lot going on and it takes almost too long to piece together the connections of various characters.
In a mellow and focused performance, Mr. Sandler was almost unrecognizable in Men, Women & Children and somewhat out of place.
Jason Reitman isn’t up to his game like he is in the past, but Men, Women, & Children is hardly a terrible movie. Yes, it is a little long with slow pacing with emotionally manipulative moments. Men, Women, & Children wasn’t as good its release date, but not as bad as everyone claims it is. Many critics have decided to hate Mr. Reitman and throw in the towel regarding his talent as a filmmaker. Twitter mob mentality strikes again! Like when everyone online freaked out when Kate Winslet baked the pie with Josh Brolin in Labor Day. This is a shame. I liked that it brings up important issues to say about how our culture is evolving /”devolving” in a reactionary bi-polar way. Men, Women, & Children wants to have an adult conversation about society online, but this shallow and immature misfire from Reitmen brought out a childlike reaction from critics who threw a temper tantrum.
I rate Men Women, & Children a 5.5 out of 10.
