Daymaker (2007) User Reviews

Insightful

[Southwesturban · 7/10 · 11 September 2007]

Accuracy, poignant accuracy and insightful, genius and thought-provoking... and most of all insanely funny words are abound in this little slice of life. I have a new perspective on many-a-thing. Small stuff. Drugs = problems. Thanks. I won't experiment. Thank you for that, Daymaker.

The town is a character in the film. From the lush scenery of grass and trees to the pretty houses with gardens and flowers, it is the ideal front for a dysfunctional American town. The actors are sincere and their characters engaging. There is no lead, it is ensemble work and everyone has something to offer. One character, Chris has a good amount of scenes and it is a pleasure to watch what he will do/say next. He holds a phone book and makes a call in one scene and I couldn't stop laughing. It is effortless. Another character is silent for one scene, a surreal dream, but she conveys so much in her face it is beautiful.

A joy to watch.

Even better than I remembered...

[superflouis · 9/10 · 2 October 2007]

Just saw this for the second time at the Wildwood festival and it was even better than I remembered. There are so many stand-out moments, it's hard to narrow down just a few. One I hadn't noticed last time is when Karina sits down and talks with Chris after her dance. I swear she was popping out of the screen! Something about her presence in that scene really shakes you up (appropriately, since Chris comes to an important realization at this point in the film). These actors are all top-notch. You find yourself endeared to each and every one of them, despite (or rather because of) their flaws.

The dialog is truly something to be admired and the script has such good rhythm: all throughout the film you have a poignant moment undercut by something absurd or hilarious. It really gives the storyline a forceful forward movement and highlights all the ups and downs of small-town life.

As mentioned in the other comments, the story is completely engrossing; it pulls you in because you can relate to the situations these characters find themselves in right off the bat. I'm really impressed at how the director and the actors alike are able to make everyday life so vibrant. When you're actually living it, it can be such a drag, but when you watch it play out in front of you, you have to laugh. And it's not always a joyful laughter; sometimes it's uncomfortable. It's unnerving how much sense everything makes when you're watching it happen on a screen rather than experiencing it first-hand!

This film has style! Can't wait to see more...

hilarious!

[LadyMacdeath · 8/10 · 21 September 2007]

This film is hilarious. Really had a good time. Also very complete-feeling, satisfying movie experience. There's great photography, a landscape is shown in an early spot that is breathtakingly beautiful. It's very artistic. The experience is candid, really in their world. fly on the wall and fun, fresh. I could use to watch it again for more details And there is a real truth to the conversations, something in the lines "When we make love, it isn't love. It's more like a handshake. A handshake could be rough or gentle, but it doesn't make it love." It was a genuine moment for me where I was fully listening to the character, more so than most movies I can remember...