Kodachrome (2017)

Films with excessive sentimentality, contrived narrative, and shallow acting are often labelled melodramatic, a term usually reserved for women's film Such descriptors, however, are equally relevant to men's films and Kodachrome (2018)is a case in point.It's a simple plot: a dying father wants his estranged son to take him across America to the last lab that can develop a few long-lost rolls of Kodachrome film. The son is Matt Ryder (Jason Sudeikis), a music recording executive whose career is on the brink. He is angered by the sudden appearance of his father's carer, Zooey Kern (Elizabeth Olsen) who acts as his messenger. His dad Ben (Ed Harris) is an old school alpha-male, a famous photographer, and chronically obnoxious. Matt is bribed into the trip and the journey is predictably unpleasant for all three. Despite its potential as an interesting road trip or a late-life coming of age story, the film struggles on several levels. To even care about the travelling threesome, we need to like or have empathy with the characters but there is nothing that encourages this. Matt is a shallow self-interested wheeler-dealer; Ben is callously uncaring; and Zooey is unconvincing in her commitment to either man.One scene stands out both for its lame attempt to find humour where there is none. The three are hurtling along in a convertible under GPS voice guidance, when Ben gets nostalgic for old-fashion maps. After asking for Matt's phone, he throws it out of the car and grins; so does Zooey, while Matt looks piqued. And this is a highlight scene worth including in the trailer!Some viewers may be drawn to Kodachromeout of interest in the history of photography and the once-iconic Kodak brand. A photographer and a music producer on a road trip could have dwelled on the passing of an era and the onset of the digital age where few images are printed or albums built. There is little serious content in this predictable over-contrived story of guilt, redemption, and a finger-wagging reminder that our lives mean nothing if we do not leave behind loving memories in those who follow.Some filmmakers seem to believe that if human failings can be exaggerated sufficiently it will turn into comedy. This sometimes works, but not here; nor does the film work as drama. Kodachrome falls somewhere between several genres into a space that feels like male melodrama.

Estranged father and Son going on a road trip isn't entirely new material. Ed Harris as the father , Ed Harris as he is always delivers. Jason Sudeikis for some reason always looks like a Mister Know it all in many of his roles, it makes one wonder if he has other facial expressions or emotional depth, he always appears to be the same person in all his roles. If you're a baby boomer like me, you will feel the nostalgia we have pre-selfie era. There is something magical with how the old cameras worked and the placing of the film roll. Indeed those were the days.You'll know what happens in this film, predictable as it is there are still some charming elements in it.

This was an excellent movie! I have always loved Ed Harris and it was great to see a different side of Jason Sudeikis! I thought Jason and Elizabeth Olsen worked very well together. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie and would definitely recommend!

Heartwarming father-son Drama with some powerful Performances and great emotions. The Story is not new and neither are the character conflicts. Also the ending was rather predictable but all of this didnt hold the film back from making an emotional Impact on you. The acting is truly good. While Jason Sudeikis shines in an unusual serious roles it is Ed Harris who totally steals the film with his fantastic turn as the estranged father who on his last days wants to reunite with his son. Elizabeth Olsen also has a cute and charming turn as the good Soul who helps both to find the right Connection to each other. The film has a very good and atmospheric direction with beautiful Images, a very good score and nice editing. The screenplay may have deserved some more work, especially in regards of some of the cliches the film builds up but the acting and direction made up for these Errors. A very good turn from Netflix which could pull Ed Harris into some Awards considerations.... I hope he delivers more of that again in the near future.