4/10
monotony monopolized
15 October 2005
Jack, Bruce, & Ellen. How can you go wrong?

Here's how: with a script that's made up of actors' 'show' pieces, a treasure-trove of monologues for the self-indulgent, earnest Thespian. The performances can't really be faulted, but performances aren't enough. The script's not nearly as profound, tragic, or interesting as it thinks it is.

During a rambling and aimless movie I often have a dread feeling that the action (what there is) will come to a head in violence... That may in fact be a pitfall of the rambling and aimless, but in drama is one of the hallmarks of the lazy writer. I had that suspicion here, and the movie delivered on that promise.

Supposedly Rafaelson was proud of casting against type. If you've ever wanted to see a whole movie of Jack clenching a pencil between his cheeks, by all means enjoy The King of Marvin Gardens.
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