PotassiumMan Usually a Gus Van Sant film with a cast like this would be a slam dunk. It does choose a worthwhile subject matter, the story of John Callahan and how he used his controversial but humorous cartoons and support from fellow alcoholics to recover from a devastating car accident that left him a quadriplegic. This film's good intentions cannot be questioned. But it nevertheless falls short for a couple of reasons.Only a handful of scenes have the emotional resonance that justify this film's having been made. A kernel of emotional truth and the human condition exist at the core. Everything else, sadly, I've already forgotten. Callahan's backstory before his accident is told in threadbare, scattershot fashion. Who he became after his horrible accident is laid out a bit more competently.Joaquin Phoenix acquits himself admirably in a role that, at first blush, seems off-kilter and too lowbrow even for him. With his performance here, Phoenix's range is no longer in doubt. He brings Callahan to life. Jonah Hill doesn't quite come away with the same achievement. I've seen him in a decent range of performances. He simply doesn't disappear into the role; rather he sticks out and keeps poking the viewer in the eye. His pimp-like performance as Callahan's gay AA sponsor/group leader is so incongruous that even Hill's best efforts cannot overcome how staggering a miscasting this was. Jack Black has a pivotal role in the film and he makes a nice contribution. Rooney Mara is a welcome presence here but is wasted as Callahan's caretaker with only a few scenes.I decline to recommend this film, because most of it is quite forgettable, despite a yeoman effort.

Hellmant 'DON'T WORRY, HE WON'T GET FAR ON FOOT': Four and a Half Stars (Out of Five)The new comedy-drama biopic based on the autobiography of cartoonist John Callahan, detailing his story of how he came to sobriety after severe alcoholism. It was directed by Gus Van Sant, and written by Van Sant, Jack Gibson and William Andrew Eaton. The movie stars Joaquin Phoenix (as Callahan), Jonah Hill, Rooney Mara and Jack Black. Danny Elfman also did the score for the film. It's received mostly positive reviews from critics, and it's playing in select indie theaters now (like Portland). I found it to be really well made, and quite involving. John Callahan (Phoenix) was a horrendous alcoholic, living in Portland, OR, when he got into a car accident which left him severely disabled. The disastrous accident just makes him even more depressed, and more addicted to the dangerous drug as well. Then he falls for a woman named Annu (Mara), who works at the hospital he's first treated at, and she encourages him to enter rehab. With the help of a really supportive sponsor (Hill), John keeps at it. When he starts drawing popular, but highly controversial, newspaper cartoons, John's life really starts to change for the better. I've definitely had times when I've drank too much in my life; not to the extent of the characters in this movie but I could still really relate to that important part of this film. I could also really relate to how John used alcohol as medication, for handling past trauma in his life (I know this is something a lot of drinkers do). Then again I could also really relate to the beautiful healing magic of art, presented in this movie, especially creating it (I'm a very obsessed aspiring filmmaker). Being a huge film fan, sometimes minor drunk, and a very passionate artist, I could really relate to this film. Especially also now that I live in the PDX area (where this was set). It's my favorite city ever!

Saint_Pauley Like an AA meeting: disjointed, funny, moving, boring, inspiring and, ultimately, rewarding.The actors are mesmerising. Joaquin Phoenix recovers nicely here from his misstep with Mary Magdalene but it's Jonah Hill as the sage gay sponsor who steals the film with a subtle portrayal imbued with nonchalant spirituality. Rock stars Kim Gordon (Sonic Youth) and Beth Ditto (Gossip) make appearances and Ditto turns in a solid gold performance that left me hoping she'll continue down the acting path.Despite being overlong and bogged down with unnecessarily complicated timeline, the overall film moved me and made me glad I got past the clunky title and misleading rom-com poster.

imabigkidnow88 Wow, what a compelling and dramatic performance by Jonah Hill ....and of course Joaquin Phoenix. I come to expect great and unique performances in everything that Joaquin does and am never disappointed, but what really stood out to me in this film was the performance of Jonah Hill. From what the announcer at Sundance 2018 described as a "chameleon like character", Jonah really drives it home with his portrayal as Donnie, the AA friend and sponsor to Joaquin's true life character John Callahan. Much like the comics that John Callahan has made over the years, this movie is filled with a lot of humor, despite the struggles he faced throughout his life, including his addiction to alcohol. Donnie is there as a source of inspiration and guidance to John in helping him overcome these obstacles while also providing some comic relief. Jonah's performance really gives depth and insight to Joaquin's character as he struggles to pick up the pieces of his shattered life and continues on his journey to make some of the most outlandish and though provoking comics of his time. Overall, I highly recommend watching this, as I feel we can all relate the context on some level. It will be quite the tear jerker towards the end and also allow you to empathize with both Donnie and John as they help each other overcome life's many hardships.