FelupFan
The condition portrayed in the movie is a real one and a rare one - BIID - Body Integrity Identity Disorder - a disorder in which otherwise healthy individuals feel that they are meant to be disabled, each in a very specific way.The main character's difficulties in dealing with this deep desire and disclosing this to his wife are difficulties that real people with BIID also face. I haven't seen many movies with a BIID theme, but compared to "Quid Pro Quo" which may be a more entertaining movie, this movie is more true to the reality of BIID.For me it was definitely a drama, not a comedy - that's not to say there is no humor. Feeling that the true you is arm-less and not achieving this arm-less state means continuing to live a lie and trying to work through this without devastating those close to you is the stuff of drama, not comedy. Despite the good acting and important content, I can see how this is not a movie for everyone. If you have an interest in BIID, I would definitely recommend it.
Eddie Borgers
Before watching I thought armless was going to surprise me pleasantly with a quite original script. Unfortunately I was half wrong. I was surprised, but I had far from a pleasant experience. The movie started boring, kept on being boring and ended boring.The 'story' could've been far more interesting if there was a real reason for John to want to cut of his arms. Now the reason is lame, as is his constant "you are disgusted with me, aren't you?". A free tip: if you have to ask someone constantly if you are something negative you probably are! Asking so often John gets quite annoying too.The movie really had nothing in it and none of the actors seemed to rise above this sorry excuse of a movie. There is nothing you get from this movie, it's no fun, it has no good actors and basically no reason to watch. I made the mistake to do watch it and would not advise anyone to do the same. Be wise and let this one pass.
hazelrah88
When I bought tickets for this film at Sundance, I was extremely skeptical. "Off-kilter" comedy could go both ways. Luckily for me, I was about to be pleasantly surprised.Outrageously hilarious, breathtakingly sad, and utterly inspiring this film does wonders at everything it tries to accomplish. The acting is superb and the lines deliver the exact punch they had intended. I can't remember the last time I had been so engaged by a film.The film is, as it's production crew describes, an off-beat comedy. And it is hilarious. Each character, with their own unique quirkiness, adds a bit to the entire feel of the movie. When placed all together each has a roll to play and they all come together for a fantastic, extremely INTENSE, ending.This film is a major keeper. One in which I am greatly looking forward to seeing it again and again."Armless" is going down for my "BUY" list for sure!
therreid
Sometimes at Sundance you hit the occasional film that is truly horrid. Armless is one of those rare awful films that sneak into Sundance from time to time.From a dull and lackluster plot to boring characters, "Armless" did not deliver on any front at all. The screenplay is poorly written, disjoint and lacking a story that keeps the audience interested. As a comedy it fails at making the audience laugh or even smile.John and his desire to cut off his arms earned a few laughs early on in the show, but as the film went on, the audience tired of the character and his repetitive lines as well as those of his wife. By the end all in the theater were just glad it was over. I had the misfortune of viewing this film at Sundance 2010 and as we exited the theater the comments from the movie goers were almost a universal, "what a waste of time". My advice if you see "Armless" being shown is to run the other way.
AD
