Brad's Status (2017)

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  TheMovieDiorama

  7 / 10

  Brad's Status is a distinctively odd sad comedy. As oxymoronic as that it is, it kind of works...right? Its quirks and unique qualities is what the film takes pride in. That and its audacious themes of jealousy. Brad goes to Boston with his son to visit a variety of colleges. It turns into a trip of reflection for Brad where he starts being concerned that he has plateaued in life and rapidly grows jealous of his old college friends. A quick obsession of wanting to matter and being fuelled by success and money. Living a lavish lifestyle where you don't feel invisible to the world. Unable to see past the fact that his life is actually bountiful and more importantly he should be satisfied with his standard of living. Jealousy can decimate your mood and way of thinking, I know this far too well personally. The narrative really explores this, albeit not so subtly, but I could relate to it. I mean he seizes the opportunity to garner attention and acclaim by using his son. That's my biggest problem with the film, it's unlikeable. I didn't warm to Brad at all, and then we meet one of his old school friends (played excellently by Michael Sheen) and somehow he is more disliked than Brad! If you can't warm to the characters, even in the slightest way, it's a detriment to the emotional investment and unfortunately I did not like them at all. I understand that's the point, but the forced approach felt unrealistic. The acting from everyone was fantastic. Ben Stiller portrays jealousy to a degree of excellence where I actually, for the tiniest moment, sympathised with his character. The on screen chemistry with Brad and his son was peculiar but the lack of dialogue between them felt real, in a strange way. The cinematography was noticeably stylistic, particularly the juxtaposing clarity of the camera's focus. The dinner scene was awkward as hell and made me excessively cringe. Good job! And then bam...the film ends. Just...like...that. I tell you what, never mind about Brad's Status, Luke's Status is saying that the superficial pretentiousness overshadows an oddly enjoyable drama.

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