Genres

Visitors Review

Robert Roten 2012-05-24 08:30:48

This marriage for profit story featuring a delusional wedding crasher is neither romantic nor funny.

Edward Douglas 2012-05-24 00:57:01

Making comparisons to the work of Wes Anderson is a little too obvious, but Winkler definitely has a talent for creating strong believable characters and dialogue.

Todd Gilchrist 2012-05-17 03:29:27

Ceremony isn't spectacularly original, but it's a proficient breakthrough that manages to make its familiarity charming.

2012-05-16 09:47:15

Great homage to Gatsby

This review is from: Ceremony (Amazon Instant Video) CONTAINS SPOILERS!!!This movie is a fresh version of Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. The protagonist (Sam) brings energy and humor to the movie as he tries to win back the love of his life on the weekend she is supposed to marry an Oscar-winning documentary star. The fiance himself is hilarious in his over-the-top role, screening his movie for his wedding guests and generally acting the way one might expect of the modern version of Fitzgerald's Tom Buchanan. The sidekick (Nick Carraway) character is perfect as the friend who stands by Sam, despite the ill-thought-out nature of Sam's plans, and the bride-to-be's brother is an unexpected treat--an understated version of today's Frat Pack who lets real hurt and loneliness show through his drunken facade. The ending is what you'd expect, if you've read Fitzgerald's book, but the bride-to-be's character shows an honesty that we never see in Daisy Buchanan, and gives Sam the chance to move on and enjoy the rest of his life, despite having lost the person he thought he could never live without. I've seen two movies this year (this one, and (500) Days of Summer) in which the protagonist is a young man in the process of having his heart broken by the woman he loves. Although I enjoyed *500 Days of Summer* and felt that the movie's message (that sometimes the reason a person "won't commit" is that the person hasn't yet found his/her match) rang true, the character of Summer didn't seem completely consistent (why lead on the protagonist at the end, when she's just about to get engaged to her eventual husband, who supposedly makes her feel a way that the protagonist never did?), whereas Uma Thurman's character in this movie is consistent and believable. She never pretends to be anyone other than who she is: a selfish woman who goes through flings--with dragonflies, music, men--but never leaves the rich and strong-willed man who "takes care of her." The only thing that changes is Sam's view of her. One ends up believing that he may eventually find a woman who loves the way he does--one certainly wishes that he will.

ralphado 2012-05-14 15:17:25

Lovable and Original.

I was fortunate to view a screening of this film last night and I haveto say, it was great! This is a coming of age comedy so well balancedit will have you smiling, giggling and laughing throughout. Uma isexcellent (as always) and with her Idiosyncrasies, she fits thecharacter of Zoe wonderfully. Michael Angarano is great for these rolesand along with Reece Thompson, they were refreshingly original comparedto cliché duel characters you see in most comedies. I felt they weremore realistic and it made the film that much funnier. From thebeginning of the story, with the introduction of Sam and Marshall youwill laugh and grow to like them right away! The characters, Whit andZoe's brother Teddy, are hilarious and you cant help , but to shakeyour head with giggles when they speak. Max Winkler did a fantastic jobin writing and directing this lovable comedy. It is well paced, wellcast, sweet and original. I don't want to spoil you with movie details,just don't miss out viewing it. Easily one of this years best comedies.

Bella 2012-05-14 05:26:49

Too many contrasts

I loved Uma playing Zoe but truthfully, she was too stylish for thismovie part. Whit was the weird match other than physical. Sam was tooshort and young for Zoe, and his way of running a friendship was adisaster all the way around. I wasted my time watching this movie butlet it play while doing homework or napping. I didn't learn anythingout of "The Ceremony" other than the fact that relationships can bemessy just because of one action or inaction. It's also about Terry whoshows how fragile life is. There was no comedy in this movie and ichallenge anybody find at least a funny if not laughable moment withinthe entire piece of work. Don't expect much of the Special Features.Other than Zoe, Marshall played a good role and he did the best out ofit. I wouldn't buy this movie.

Peter Canavese 2012-05-13 09:38:09

More interested in melancholy wryness than belly laughs, and the low-key results have a pleasant fizz. [Blu-ray]

sarajayr 2012-05-12 23:34:43

very funny and smart

I saw this movie at the TIFF premier. I wasn't sure what to expect, butwhen all was done, I was impressed with how funny and witty it was. Thecharacter of Sam was all around, the best (in every sense of the word).The movie was a good balance of comedy and romance. It was nice to havethe majority of the movie take place outside a major city. The castworked very well together in this film. I laughed a lot, and when someof the more serious scenes came up, it got me thinking about howrelationships are formed and the duration of relationships today. Ithink when a movie can get you thinking about real-life, it issuccessful. Two thumbs up to Max Winkler for selecting the actors hedid, it was a great combination of talent!!

djmc-3 2012-05-07 22:57:33

Fonzie's kid has made an enjoyable indie romantic comedy

Uma Thurman was the SOLE REASON for renting this film--- none of theother actors are familiar to us, except for Michael Angarano (from TheForbidden Kingdom) in his first "adult" leading role!The leads are competent, but you still wonder if the movie would havedone better at the box office had Jesse Eisenberg hadn't backed outlast minute (Angarano was supposed to play "Marshall", the sidekick).Nevertheless, this movie reminded me of "Rushmore," even though theplot is more like "The Graduate." (If you've seen both movies, thenyou'll understand my analogy).Max Winkler, son of The Fonz, has done a great job as a rookiedirector. He's got a great future ahead....Finally, I have to say that Jake Johnson ("Teddy") really adds a"Hangover" dimension to this film, in a good way! He is only one ofmany quirky supporting characters who make this a lovable film....oneyou're likely to purchase rather than rent!

Stephen Saito 2012-05-07 18:19:41

[Winkler] spins it fast and keeps it on track, delivering a pleasant diversion that's refreshingly free of cynicism, full of vibrancy and ultimately, a curiosity about what he will do next.

Nick Schager 2012-05-06 08:18:56

Uma Thurman is as nuanced as her preposterous role allows, which isn't much

daisymadcow 2012-05-05 13:40:31

A movie about a 30 something woman getting married and a young lover from her past gate crashing

I honestly did not enjoy this film. I found it slow, boring and utterlyhard to follow. It is listed as a comedy, I didn't laugh once. Thisfilm tried hard to be an "arty" type film but came off disjointed,bawdy, sleep inducing and even utterly unrelated in parts. Thecharacters were hard to get into, they didn't "gel" with each other.The scenes do not flow and jump around quite a bit and don't relate toeach other. The characters were not believable and did not draw you in.They don't mesh with each other or fully give you a full picture of therelationship between characters. The whole way through this film youare guessing at the plot, at why a scene is playing out the way it is,and what is really going on. It is very obscure, not made any easierwith the whole different storyline going on with Uma's character'sbrother. That confuses the whole plot even more. I struggled on withthis film purely because I thought it would get better, andparticularly I will admit because Uma was listed in it and I hadenjoyed her acting in the past.Save yourself the bother and don'tbother pressing play. Sorry Uma but you have acted in far better thenthis!

napierslogs 2012-05-04 12:09:00

The romantic desperation of flawed characters with humour, love and understanding

Sam (Michael Angarano) is going to take his friend Marshall (ReeceThompson) on an adventure. It starts with Sam referring to liking abook in his "younger and more vulnerable years." Sam used to think itwas written about him; Marshall thinks it is written about him. And ifyou already know which book they are referring to, the characteristicsof Sam and Marshall, and the adventure they are about to go on,instantly fall into place.Marshall doesn't yet know, but Sam is chasing after a girl. Youprobably already knew that because after all, that's what Gatsby wasdoing too. And because "Ceremony" is a romantic comedy. The girl is Zoe(Uma Thurman) and she's about to marry Whit because he's rich andhandsome. Sam, although just as immature, is likely a bit morewell-read than Gatsby, and he makes some hilarious and shrewd remarksabout Whit and Zoe, their relationship, and about the relationship hewould like to have with Zoe."Ceremony" is not actually like "The Great Gatsby", but the simpleparallels that you can make amongst all the characters, illustrates howanyone would be able to find something to connect to in Fitzgerald'sclassic. And then afterwards, you will be able to find an extra layerof meaning in "Ceremony".This is a romantic comedy, or coming-of-age journey, that isdelightfully funny, whimsically quirky, but with a real sense ofcharacter. It is written and directed by Max Winkler, son of the Fonz,and he shows a natural ability coupled with a strong sense of humourand intellect. What makes me confident that he will become a greatwriter is when his characters discuss the art of writing characters allthe while being completely oblivious to their own flaws.Michael Angarano shows that he is becoming the star that he deserves tobe (if this finds an audience) with his quick delivery of witty linesand his ability to sport a moustache and a burnt-orange suit throughoutthe entire movie without ever making a single joke feel tired. Theyounger Reese Thompson (playing the year-and-a-half older Marshall)seemed a bit out of his league, but then again he's playing a characterwho is a bit out of his league.Although it takes place during a weekend wedding with a guy trying towin over a girl, it doesn't follow any standard romantic comedytrajectories. Marhsall observes those around him as he slowly matures,and Sam gets pretty much exactly what he deserves for his current levelof maturity and understanding of human nature. "Ceremony" gives us thatgreen light at the end of the dock to believe in, the orgastic futureof filmmaking.

Brent Simon 2012-05-03 22:05:46

Well acted, with plenty of color around its edges, Ceremony too often dawdles and dissembles when it should be digging deeper. Still, the performances make it connect, even though Winkler seems to have an aversion to catharsis.

Dustin Putman 2012-05-03 10:41:53

Innocuous but underwritten. An indie romantic comedy-drama that provides the occasional snicker and a low-key level of emotional urgency, the picture nonetheless comes up lacking in both development and charisma.

Geoff Berkshire 2012-05-02 14:46:11

Starts by presenting seemingly one-note characters and gradually attempts to peel back their layers.

2012-04-25 19:40:51

Not enough

If that's the best preview you have to offer you may not get anyone to rent this movie, especially for $9.99

Dennis Schwartz 2012-04-25 06:03:04

It's only funny because its putrid dialogue is so unfunny that it drags flies.

Steven Rea 2012-04-25 12:16:17

The offbeat comedy is not entirely devoid of charm, but its derivativeness is almost embarrassing.

Stephen Holden 2012-04-25 07:52:49

Throughout the movie, Ms. Thurman's facial expressions suggest a peevish spoiled child about to stomp her feet and throw a full-scale tantrum.