brilliant actors, brilliant editing

Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

It's not often that I actually bother to write a review of a film but I feel it only fair to post my review in order to prevent the general public wasting their precious time on a film that really is one of the worst piles of garbage I have watched in a very long time. There is one thing I have to hand to the producers of this film which is 10/10 for finding the most highly annoying actor (the main character) and also for providing the most bizarre and quite frankly headache inducing way of filming a movie - if that's what you could call it. Furthermore why this is described as a comedy is beyond me. It is simply not funny and totally depressing and odd! So if you have seen this film listed on Netflix don't bother cause it's awful.

You know you are watching a winner when you find yourself hating the lead characters, feeling sorry for another, and getting mad at yet more. In my book if you get emotionally involved with a story, the story is good!This movie covers some darker sides of life and is expertly symbolized through the photography. Many scenes are dark, shadowy, and out of focus. When we are in Rogers world everything is fuzzy, dark, ill defined, and turbulent. Nick willfully jumps into his uncles lifestyle believing he's experiencing life. We (the viewers) know otherwise, but Nick is unwilling to jump off the sinking ship of his uncles life. When we enter Nicks world after he goes back home, suddenly all is bright and colorful. And we see how out of place Roger is in Nicks world.The last five minutes of the film is the defining moments of Rogers character. He has never grown up, he's still sophomoric as seen how he relates to Nicks friends. Physically an adult, mentally still a bombastic sophomore.An excellent movie for film lovers!

Roger (Campbell Scott) is a great talker. Being an intelligent, modern guy, he has opinions on everything and anything, usually garnering an audience when he is speaking. Yet, he is a pain in the bottom quite often. He knows when to push buttons and offend people, even among his circle of friends and co-workers. One evening, the older woman he has been seeing (Isabella Rosselini) breaks things off. As she is also his supervisor at an advertising firm, this makes the situation difficult. Roger is in disbelief. Isn't he the greatest thing since sliced bread? How dare she dump him? Just at this moment, his shy nephew turns up for a visit. He is in town, checking out Columbia as a possible college, and hoping Roger can give him some tips on women. Roger agrees to take his young relative out on the town, teaching him the ways men can pick up females. But, is his advice truly helpful? All one can say is, mamas don't let your babies grow up to be jerks, like Roger. Yes, he is a handsome, rich, and intelligent, making him attractive to women. But, he is a rotter, through and through, one who has no respect for women in the final analysis. For Roger, to score with a lady is the most important thing, and what happens next of smaller consequence. As such, he can hardly give any advice worth hearing. Scott is very fine in his portrayal of Roger, making him a pretty loathsome figure, despite his great looks. Rosselini also shines in a lesser but very important role. The rest of the cast, including Jennifer Beals and Elizabeth Berkley, is likewise very nice, especially the young man playing the nephew. Sets, costumes, and production values are high. Be aware, however, that this is not a romantic comedy. Rather, it is an exploration of a ladies man and hustler who thinks the world is his oyster, much to the detriment of himself and those around him. In this light, it is an interesting psychological study, indeed. But, for those who like their movies all sweetness and light, steer clear of this one.

Given that Roger behaves like nothing more than a bitchy queen all the way through, why am I expected to believe that he is in anyway desirable to women? Acidic, manipulative, self-seeking...just a revolting personality...and yet the director somehow expects us to want to spend time in his company. The best part of 2 hours, in fact. 2 minutes would be too long!! That his New York cronies appear to find his dinner party repartee amusing says as much about them as it does about him. Personally, I would cross the room to avoid his supercilious clap-trap and I'm not remotely interested in a group of vacuous trendies who would fan his ego. Hence, I don't care about the characters. And, in so not doing, I don't care at all.Even the introduction of the "nephew" couldn't inject heart. The film is all about word-play - being perceived to be clever-clever - whilst having no heart at all.Watching this film was an empty and vaguely depressing experience.