Meet Bill (2007)

I found myself inadvertently drawn into this film while flicking through T.V. channels. Aaron Eckhart plays the tile lead "Bill", and he is obviously going through some kind of middle aged crisis right from the get-go. His wife Jess, played by the gorgeous Elizabeth Banks, is having an affair with local T.V. journalist and all-round narcissistic asshole Chip Johnson, played by Todd Louiso. In the midst of this depressing scenario, Bill finds himself suddenly committed to mentoring a 15 year old boy, played brilliantly by Logan Lerman at his former prep school. Added to this there is Sales Assistant Lucy, played charmingly by the delightful Jessica Alba. The latter 2 play a key role in the transformation of a steadily faltering character, in Bill. With lots of potential here the script doesn't quite follow suit as the film seems to end too quickly and we have some unresolved relationships which end up in having us guess in an unsatisfied fashion.

The world knows they are lost but they don't know the answer. Here we see various characters portrayed, all with their own agenda, all seeking their own way, their own profit, their own pleasure, but none are truly happy. This is in my opinion a very accurate portrayal of the world. The main character seems to realize something is wrong but unfortunately his answer is to throw caution to the wind and engage in sinful behavior that if practiced in real live would result in disaster but since this is Hollywood that is presented as the answer. The real answer is to lay down your life in service of others. But of course we will never see a movie about that!

I really enjoyed this movie, but some things needed to be improved. Aaron Eckhart was really good as Bill. However, I felt that except for Bill, Paul, Mr.Jacoby, Jacoby Jr., Chip, and Jess the rest of the characters were underdeveloped. The Kid (Logan Lerman) did not have a back story, which I was especially disappointed with. I really enjoyed the fact that it was the mentored mentoring the mentor ... but a kid who knows it all and has it all is rather boring. I was waiting for him to have family issues or something, seeing as he seemed to always be with Bill, and I don't think many parents would let their kid be with an adult that long. I could be wrong I guess. I really liked the character of Jess and thought Elizabeth Banks did an excellent job. Finally, I am a bit confused by the ending. I could not interpret the kids reaction to the fireworks exploding from his locker. He seemed mad, but I thought it was supposed to amuse him ?

If you like Aaron Eckhart then you'll like this film. It's a departure from anything he's done in the past. Elizabeth Banks plays his wife, a beautiful, self obsessed, spoiled, rich bitch with no redeeming qualities except her looks and body. (It's VERY much the same role as she played in "The Baxter". She's really got this character type down and is carving a niche for herself in indie films.)As I watched this movie, I thought that it reminded me of those indie films that I loved from the late 90's and early 2000's and how they just don't make them like this anymore. I didn't laugh all the way through this movie, but there were places where I chuckled (considerably) and I did have a smirk on my face for a good bit of the movie. (Think "The Ex" but not as funny.)It a great Friday night, too tired to think, order a pizza and veg movie. And if you like indie films from a decade ago, then you'll be glad you rented this one.