Amy Adler
Conrad (Jason Bateman) has been one of the luckiest people on the planet. His parents own a stately hotel in Manhattan, the Valmont, where "Connie" has lived his whole life. Nested in the penthouse, life is an endless string of women and parties. The claim is that he is a writer in the "developing stages" of a book. But, alas, Poor Yorick! His parents decide on a divorce and neither wants to pay for Conrad's current lifestyle. Thus, he is soon "hotel-less and homeless". Its a shock, with Conrad having to leave his dog Napoleon in the hands of a longtime hotel employee. Thus, he ends up bunking with a male pal, Dylan (Billy Crudup) who is perhaps Connie's only true friend. Almost at once, Dylan tells Conrad that he has broken up with a longtime girlfriend and has his eye on a beautiful fashion model, Beatrice (Olivia Wilde). Bea has been setting boundaries for Dylan's pursuit, though she does seem interested in the man. Wouldn't one know, when the three of them get together that Conrad develops a crush on Beatrice, too? With his more aggressive style, this juvenile, penniless little rich boy makes more time in a few days than Dylan has in weeks, all behind Dylan's back! Will this new romance last? This is an unusual film, urban, witty, and interesting. The sharp dialogue will make those who like words over action stunts very happy. Then, too, Bateman, Wilde, Crudup, Tony Roberts and the rest of the acting crew are most wonderful as well. although it would have been nice to see Crudup more. With great sets, costumes, and direction, The Longest Week has its charm and fun. Alas, the ending was unsatisfying for this viewer but others might not find it so. Even so, this notable flick will help film fans who delight in something other than superheroes quite gleeful.
TxMike
Romantic comedy, lightweight but fun. I found it on Netflix streaming movies.Jason Bateman is Conrad Valmont, 40-ish, and has always lived a life of luxury in the family hotel. He fashions himself as an author but when anyone asks about his current book he just says he is "gathering data." As he has been for several years. But he has it made with luxurious living quarters, an allowance, and a chauffeur. But mom and dad decide to split up and neither of them wants to carry the burden of Conrad's expenses. He basically has to leave on short notice, broke and with no place to live.So he does what anyone in his situation would do, he goes to his friend from childhood, Billy Crudup as single guy Dylan Tate, and asks if he can crash there for a while. Dylan doesn't mind but he has one request, rather a demand, that Conrad NOT go after his girlfriend.The girlfriend is Olivia Wilde as Beatrice Fairbanks. In spite of his assurances, Conrad in fact does have an eye for her. But to be fair here, she is probably even more to blame, as she makes overtures to him first, and they begin seeing each other on the sly.So that is basically it, the romantic triangle and the need for Conrad to finally grow up, learn how to make his own way through life. It is mostly entertaining but ultimately forgettable. I mainly enjoyed it for the three main actors, I like all of them.
secondtake
The Longest Week (2014)What a strangely almost good movie. It has lots of compelling elements, including Jason Bateman as the nice guy leading man (though here he plays a spoiled rich boy). It's a complex enough story, and a love story, and it's set in lovely Brooklyn (an almost Manhattan). It should work. And second leading man Billy Crudup is terrific—better than Bateman.So enjoy it for what it is? Sure. But it will kludge along at times, and will get a bit obvious at other times. The women (girlfriends, mainly) are weakly cast (or weakly directed), which doesn't help. But mostly it's a matter of originality—which is missing.In fact, the whole thing is alike a Woody Allen mashup wannabe. The voice-over will make you think too much of "Vicky Christina Barcelona" and some of the photography of "Manhattan" but in color. (They even cast Allen regular Tony Roberts in a role as, yes, a shrink.) But mostly it's "Annie Hall" redux. In fact, it's almost a remake—girl meets unlikely boy, they have a romance, it goes south, and then boy re-evaluates (with direct stealing of ideas like having the plot reappear as a play, or in this case as a novel). And even if you don't like "Annie Hall" (which I do), you have to admit it came first, and is wonderfully original.To add insult to injury, the whole set design and shooting style is straight out of Wed Anderson, though toned down to the point of being dull. (Anderson is never dull, at least visually.)So what is left? Lots of little moments—quaint remarks (skipping over the brazenly sexist stuff that is meant to be funny and is mostly embarrassing, like the soccer practice) and a generally nice flow of events. It's easy to watch even if you aren't enthralled.Director and writer Peter Glanz is fairly new to the scene, and this movie is a seven day expansion of an earlier indie success, "A Relationship in Four Days." No wonder this one feels about three days too long. See it? Maybe, if you already know you like the cast or the genre. Or maybe just give the Allen films a second try. Worlds apart.
Kostas Trovas
First of all I enjoyed the acting of Bateman and Olivia Wilde. They are both a joy to watch. The story is having it's ups and downs, and the narration is something that I personally like in movies. But the main reason why I would recommend someone to watch this film is the cinematography. Great photographic scenes, depth of field, rule of thirds, low key, minimalist. Fantastic use of all the techniques. If you are a photographer you'll realize what I mean. Although even if you don't have any photography background you'll simply enjoy the view. Hats off to cinematographer Ben Kutchins, great work! Of course it doesn't hurt that Olivia Wild is damn gorgeous...
AD
