It started as a less funny Trainspotting and I was really looking forward to good British humour and some Ewanesque performance. Instead I had to contend with a clichéd plot, a good looking guy with nice hair that repeats the whole movie what other people told him and ends up predictably ending up with the girl. And no, I don't feel I've spoilt anything here, it was obvious from the setup scene. And it was boring, too!
I was also disappointed that Ralph Fiennes played in this one in such a flat and unchallenging role. I really love the guy and it hurts to see him play less and less interesting characters. All well known actors (Fiennes, Gervais, Emily Watson) have played important characters, but not very complex roles, leaving it all to the three (and a half) young actors interpreting the major roles. That would have been a very good move if the young'uns would have played well. However, the main character was rather bland, with an actor that did not shine nor lines that would have inspired anything. Paradoxically, the other two guys, particularly Jack Doolan, played a lot better!
So, bottom line: if you can get over the lack of subtlety in the script and dialogue, the movie is a light fun coming of age film. There are some good lines there that evoke a chuckle or even a small laugh, but overall it all comes down as average. "Choose life" made a whole lot more sense when the people involved had real problems.
I was also disappointed that Ralph Fiennes played in this one in such a flat and unchallenging role. I really love the guy and it hurts to see him play less and less interesting characters. All well known actors (Fiennes, Gervais, Emily Watson) have played important characters, but not very complex roles, leaving it all to the three (and a half) young actors interpreting the major roles. That would have been a very good move if the young'uns would have played well. However, the main character was rather bland, with an actor that did not shine nor lines that would have inspired anything. Paradoxically, the other two guys, particularly Jack Doolan, played a lot better!
So, bottom line: if you can get over the lack of subtlety in the script and dialogue, the movie is a light fun coming of age film. There are some good lines there that evoke a chuckle or even a small laugh, but overall it all comes down as average. "Choose life" made a whole lot more sense when the people involved had real problems.