Be Kind Rewind

Starring: Jack Black, Mos Def, Danny Glover, Mia Farrow, Sigourney Weaver
Directed by: Michel Gondry
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy
2008

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: Two men (Mos Def, Jack Black) working at a video rental store are shocked to learn all the videos have been erased. To appease their customers, they begin filming themselves recreating all of the movies in the store. What starts out as a desperate action has unforseen consequences.

Review:

Tim: This is a movie that had a great deal of potential. Movies about movies are always enjoyable, because we can so easily relate to the material. Especially this film, about two men who reenact all their favorite movies, is something everyone can identify with. However, besides this basic premise, everything else in the movie is a complete disaster.

The script is just ludicrous. It is one thing to tell a story about recreation of our favorite movies, and people willing to pay to watch these. It is another thing entirely to believe dozens and dozens of people are willing to pay $20 for a shoddy, 20-minute version of their favorite movies. Are you kidding me? This would never, ever happen, and pretty much derailed the movie for me. You want me to believe the line for the video store would be going out around the block? Have you been paying attention to the economy?

To make matters worse, there is this absurd subplot about some famous musician who supposedly was born in the video store location years and years ago. This evoked so many yawns and so much boredom from me that I shudder to go into too much detail here. Let’s just say it categorically does not work.

I also have to express disappointment in the cast. I am usually a huge fan of Mos Def, but here, he was just whiny and annoying. I didn’t enjoy his one-dimensional character at all. Jack Black is even worse, as a selfish, stupid, ridiculous character. Black and Def should have worked well together, but they are never convincing. Danny Glover is fairly decent with a wicked haircut. Mia Farrow added nothing for me, and Sigourney Weaver had the potential to make an impact, but she has about 4 minutes of screen time.

Be Kind Rewind does have a few strong moments. When we see Def and Black’s recreation of some of our favorite movies, it is hard not to at least smile. With classics like Ghostbusters and 2001: A Space Odyssey and well-known films like Rush Hour 2, these scenes do work. Sadly, everything else about the movie is weak and poorly done. I very much disliked my experience watching this movie, and that is truly a shame.



Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 3.5



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: Being John Malkovich, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind