I don’t even know where to begin with this movie. The entire film feels like it has some sort of important message to share with the world when really it skims the surface on a variety of storylines making the entire movie a waste of time and me wanting the time lost from watching EVERY DAY back. Before I get too carried away with all of the things the film did wrong and I disliked, let me tell you a little bit about this movie written and directed by Richard Levine.
EVERY DAY is the story of a family in New York. Dad, Ned (Liev Schriber) and mom, Jeannie (Helen Hunt) have two sons ages 15 and 12 the eldest which is gay. They have recently moved Jeannie’s ailing and estranged father, Ernie (Brian Dennehy), in with them and they must find a balance between caring for Ernie and their sons. Sounds like this alone would cause enough of a dynamic to create a really interesting and complex story. But does EVERY DAY stop there? Oh no! There’s more! Ned works for a show very similar to FX’s Nip/Tuck as a writer and must create a script that is shockingly disturbing so he doesn’t lose his job or get yelled at in front of his co-workers by his flamboyant boss (Eddie Izzard). This work scenario causes a lot of strain on Ned and makes it impossible for him to be home while his wife is running around with her father to doctors visits and there again is a new strain within the storyline.
The drama and issues just keep on coming and with each new layer added to this already dysfunctional movie I want to be doing anything else but watching this flick. From infuriating divided parenting, an affair, weird flashbacks that only Dennehy’s character has, an almost drugging of a 15-year old boy, it makes me wonder why did Richard Levine feel the need to write in so much complication to a script that could have been simple yet powerful? I have about had it with Hollywood thinking they need to create additional drama to a family by adding the crazy affairs, drugs and shock value. That combination does not always make a good film as witnessed in EVERY DAY.
These characters and their struggles could have been likeable and relatable creating a connection with the audience. There was so much potential for this film to be great with the cast but the script fell flat. Even the acting could have been better, it was fair. Dennehy did a fine job as a crotchety old man but nothing remarkable. Helen Hunt was just ok as the overwhelmed mother and daughter. I think she could have had more emotion but she felt very one note. As the loose morals co-worker, Carla Gugino was decent and she seemed like the only character that wasn’t drowning. Lastly, you want to like Liev Schriber’s character but all of his actions and lack of reaction slowly leave a bad taste in your mouth.
Do yourself a favor. Skip this movie. Run far from it and watch something you know is good and that you won’t regret having wasted your time watching.
Video: (1.85:1 Widescreen) Clear picture.
Audio: (5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio) Fine.
Cast Interview (14:12): The cast, director and producer all discuss the wonderful script, how it was to work with a first time director ultimately making this movie sound more important and special than what it is.
Deleted Scenes: Seven deleted scenes totaling approximately 8minutes time that you will have to select individually as there is a serious lack of play all button.
Trailer
