He Was a Quiet Man
Christian Slater delivers what critics are calling the performance of his career as Bob Maconel, a bullied office drone with hate in his heart, voices in his head, and a loaded gun in his desk drawer. When a bizarre twist turns into an instant hero, Bob begins a tender relationship with a disbale co worker(an equally powerful performance by Elisha Cuthbert) who asks Bob for the ultimate favor. Can two damaged souls ever learn to lvie again or is the brink of madness still just a shot away? Oscar nominee William H. Macy co stars in this acclaimed cross between Office Space and Taxi Driver that Screen International hails as an excellent, unpredictable, often extremely witty film. Christian Slater is superb!
Member Reviews
Delivered in a Quirky Style - c4th
Bob Maconel, like his pet gold fish, is trapped in a world of isolation. He puts much thought into the best way to end this. Frequently he considers gunning down his co-workers but just as it seems he is about to act on these thoughts, another employee beats him to the punch. Bob ends up shooting the culprit to save a pretty young worker and suddenly finds himself a hero. Thus begins an intriguing drama with elements of black humour delivered in a style quirky enough to give its best line to a fish.
There was much in this film to like so it took me a while to figure out why if fell short for me. After some time to contemplate, I think I have it. We were asked to take Bob’s torment for granted rather than experiencing it with him. His torment was far greater than the brief bullying from two office superiors could depict. Vanessa’s barely audible ‘‘Love the hula girl.’’ as she passes his desk is not testament to her ability to ‘light up a room’. This is a good movie and well worth seeing but I found myself mildly disappointed that the shooting scene occurred before Bob’s mood of despair was sufficiently developed.
Anything goes in a psychological thriller and most are surprised by an ending that contains a valuable lesson. The conclusion is clearly and brilliantly forecast and is obvious to those who listened not just to how Bob viewed those around him but, more importantly, to how Bob viewed himself.Going Postal. - cathyottawa
My my, but the descriptor is generous for this one! The performance of Christian Slater's career? An "acclaimed cross between Office Space and Taxi Driver"? An "excellent, unpredictable, often extremely witty film"? These aren't the things I took away from this movie experience.
Slater does an admirable enough job, certainly looking the part of a shlubby office geek, but his character is so shallow. We never really learn what makes him tick. He ends up being nothing more than a caricature of the office nerd.
Like the friends and neighbors in the film, about all we learn of Slater is that he's a "quiet man". We never get below the surface.
And that ending! Yikes! It's one of those cop-out endings that I just hated.
I will say Elisha Cuthbert was surprisingly good here, with screen presence to spare. I could see her taking on a role like Sharon Stone's in Basic Instinct with no problem.
This had a core idea that was good, but the script needed some serious work.I am not a spoon - blissful_muse07
Christian Slater has outdone himself in such an emotionally disturbing role that left me with a few watery eye moments in some of the scenes with him alone with his thoughts, and then certain moments with Elisha Cuthbert. Very intense movie as an outcast becomes a saviour but is still left with a lingering feeling of discontentment beyond what anyone understands, even himself. William H. Macy had a very strong performance and the talking fish which could symbolically represent his conscious, added an unique take to the film too.
Member Reviews
Read All...
Delivered in a Quirky Style - c4th
Bob Maconel, like his pet gold fish, is trapped in a world of isolation. He puts much thought into the best way to end this. Frequently he considers gunning down his co-workers but just as it seems he is about to act on these thoughts, another employee beats ...Going Postal. - cathyottawa
My my, but the descriptor is generous for this one! The performance of Christian Slater's career? An "acclaimed cross between Office Space and Taxi Driver"? An "excellent, unpredictable, often extremely witty film"? These aren't the things I took away ...I am not a spoon - blissful_muse07
Christian Slater has outdone himself in such an emotionally disturbing role that left me with a few watery eye moments in some of the scenes with him alone with his thoughts, and then certain moments with Elisha Cuthbert. Very intense movie as an outcast becomes ...