The Humbling

It's interesting that a lot of reviews compare this film to "Birdman". It's probably because both films center on the theatre and have ambiguous endings though there aren't as many flights of fancy on display here. If nothing else see this film for Al Pacino's masterful performance as Simon Axler, a once renowned actor who is losing his feel for performing and is contemplates suicide. After a stint at a mental institution he reconnects with Pegeen (Greta Gerwig), a thirtysomething lesbian who's burned the torch for Simon since she was a child. Simon's relationship with Pegeen reinvigorates him but it comes at a cost. Pegeen proves to be a selfish manipulative parasite who causes Simon more anxiety and complications than his fragile psyche can handle. On top of that Simon has to deal with Pegeen's disapproving parents and former lovers. This is a carefully calibrated turn by Pacino of a man on the verge of emotional meltdown and he wisely dials it down. Pacino could have howled at the moon as he was prone to do in previous roles but allows his raspy voice, age lined face and mournful eyes do the talking for him. Gerwig is equally fine making a potentially obnoxious character not only palatable but somewhat endearing. Good supporting cast but I'd give a special shout out to Nina Arianda as a woman who hilariously tries to contract Simon to kill her husband. Last year Arianda distinguished herself in the relatively obscure "Rob the Mob" so here's hoping Hollywood is taking notice. Director Barry Levinson expertly juggles the comedic and dramatic elements of the film based on a Philip Roth novel. Octogenarian Buck Henry co-wrote an acidly wicked script fifty years after he helped create "Get Smart" with Mel Brooks and contributed to "The Graduate" screenplay. Which leads me to the question as to when they are going to issue on DVD Milos Forman's first American film "Taking Off" starring Henry. I don't know if you can categorize any endeavor of Al Pacino's as a small film but "The Humbling" is an exceptional undertaking.

The downfall of greatness, in this case an actor, is of course a fascinating subject, but this movie is not interesting. The screenplay relies on oddball characters, dream/delusion sequences, and of course that device so beloved in Hollywood, conversations with a therapist. Stuff happens, the scenes go on and on, but it's all so banal! To be fair all this crap is not terribly boring, though that's mostly due to the always watchable Pacino, the rest of the cast contributes nothing of value. Pacino is certainly pathetic as the doddering old actor, and indeed this movie is such a travesty that it's like watching the death of his real career on screen, but elder abuse is a crime not entertainment.

I like Al Pacino, so I gave it a 3 star. If I didn't like Pacino, I would have given it a 2 star. It is just one weird movie. Not sure I can even accurately describe it. When the movie was over, my wife and I looked at each other and said "That's it?". We will probably not sit through a replay.

The great Al Pacino stars in Barry Levinson's "The Humbling." Based on Philip Roth's underrated novel, Pacino plays Simon Axler, a famous actor who has lost his ability to act and ends up in a relationship with a much younger woman (a miscast Greta Gerwig). This woman happens to be the daughter of Axler's old friends, and she also happens to be a lesbian.The main problem with the movie is that it couldn't find the proper balance of comedy and drama, as well as most of the comedy falling flat. The movie also felt awkward, which may have been the point, but it was poorly done. The supporting cast (Dianne Wiest, Dan Hedaya, Charles Grodin, Kyra Sedgwick) are unfortunately wasted.Pacino's heart was in the right place, but Levinson's brain wasn't.

Pacino's acting was superb. The story, filming, editing and acting was captivating. Bravo.

Ehh it was a okay movie.

This is the worst Al Pacino film I have ever seen. Complete dreck and waste of time! The film was much too long, and incredibly self indulgent. I expected so much more from the Director and Cast, but instead was completely disappointed. Note: the cover image for the Blu Ray (and I assume also for the DVD) was nowhere to be seen in the actual film. I wish I could rate this a ZERO. Don't waste your time.

The film was and is relevant, dealing with important topics so often paraded as profound and are not, still others coped with using triviality but are indeed penetrating and difficult. I didn't like it... At all: but I understand the need for works like this... Especially now. 11-9-2018

Brilliant.

Al Pacino is one of my favorite actors of all time but even though I'm 43 this movie felt TOO FAR OFF for me to relate and is not because of Pacino's character being wealthy actor but because he's at the end of his career in the film and has unwarranted problems that are too far fetched for the regular person. Pacino tried but I was not a fan of this movie.

horrible movie