Mr. Jealousy [DVD]

Mr Jealousy is a film that isn't for the mainstream. Maybe because it is very well written and the acting is earthy and sharp. Not for the masses; the dialog is very intelligent and the story is sincere yet laced with humor. If you're looking for that feel of an independent film that would make a European film enthusiast smile, this is a good one. If you like the Last Days of Disco or Kicking and Screaming or Metropolitan, you'll like Mr Jealousy as well.

Read the other five star reviews of this charming and intriguing film - they're all right on the money. The comments and relevant recommendations are worth reading as well.

After watching Noah Baumbach's film Kicking & Screaming, I was inspired to search out his forgotten comedy Mr. Jealousy starring the irrepressible Eric Stoltz and stunning Annabella Sciorra (I really enjoyed her turn on The Sopranos). Aside from Stoltz, there are some other holdovers from Kicking & Screaming including Chris Eigeman (who inexplicably seems to have only appeared in the films of Baumbach and Whit Stilman) and Carlos Jacott. It is one of those sophisticated, witty, urbane comedies (ala Woody Allen) where everyone seems so intelligent and with it, doing interesting things in New York. Stoltz is an aspiring writer who meets Sciorra, an Art History doctoral candidate and as his character has shown in the past has become obsessed with her past. In that sense it shares the same basic premise of Kevin Smith's Chasing Amy, where the past life of one's lover becomes an obsession. In this case drives Stoltz to stalk and follow her ex-boyfriend, and successful writer, Dashiell Frank into therapy. I found the fact that they were so open about past lovers at the beginning of the relationship as a bit too shall we say-"European"? However, the comedic highpoint is where Stoltz chastises Sciorra for going to bed with him too early in their relationship, to which she asks if he's jealous of himself. The music was done by Luna front man Dean Wareham (who also has a cameo), and one of my favorite tracks by Luna, "Chinatown", appears in the film.

Mr. Jealousy stands out to me as being a well developed and intelligently plotted film. Sadly, as a 90's "wanna-be Indie" movie, it did not go very far. Perhaps its biggest flaw is that the "hero" is really no hero at all. He is your everyday guy that struggles with deep psychological issues that are richly translated into humor and sometimes romance.I find that the narrating does not ever seem to fall short throughout the entire film. It has a hint of quirky irony and judgmental edge that makes you giggle to yourself, however the humor is mostly because you can relate to this fellows everyday thoughts.Each character is very well developed. Even though they lack perfection, they draw you into their personal lives.In my opinion this is one of the most deeply "felt" movies that I have seen in quite awhile. It is not typical Hollywood drama and cheap laughs, its genuine insecurity at its best!

What I liked most about Mr. Jealousy was that it was really about these two writers and their growth and development as real people. The literary jokes were, like Kicking and Screaming, refreshingly funny. The fact that Mr. Jealousy is supposed to be a romantic comedy and is totally misrepresented by the trailer and box graphics/description might mislead certain people into seeing this movie. The film is really very sad at what should be the ending. The last bit that turns the movie into a "happy ending" seemed contrived and pasted on. Kicking and Screaming did not have that problem, but the ending really does not detract much from the movie's overall beauty and humor. I would definitely recommend seeing Kicking and Screaming first to appreciate the director's development of the "becoming an adult" theme which is further developed in Mr. Jealousy.

Before I saw anything else, let it be known that if you watch films ONLY for entertainment, skip this movie. You won't have the patience for it.With that said, let's talk about this movie.First off, its great! Great acting, great script, even nice camera work.However, this film is not for everyone.If you're already an indie fan, I think you'll enjoy this movie right off the bat. But if you're not used to indie films, it has to grow on you.This is the type of movie thats not quite a comedy, not quite a drama. It has funny momments, but if you expect funny momments every ten minutes you'll be disapointed.If you like offbeat, non mainstream movies, I think you'll enjoy this film. If you want to find out whether or not you enjoy offbeat films, this is a great one to test yourself on (I suggest watching it twice before you judge it).If you're used to Julia Roberts type romantic comedies, skip this one.

When I first saw Kicking and Screaming, I couldn't believe how much I enjoyed it. I didn't think it would stay with me and endear itself more and more with each viewing, but it did. When I heard that Noah Baumbach was making a new film- I had to see it right away. I was not dissapointed. Mr. Jealousy is a great comedy with many hilarious and pensive moments. Baumbach has a great little troop of actors that he works with-these include Eric Stoltz, Chris Eigeman, and the amazing Carlos Jacott(played Otis in Kicking). Baumbach weaves a very enjoyable, neuroitically comic story where a jealous man invades his current girlfriend's ex-boyfriend's group therapy. It gets funnier from there. I love this film and find that films from a guy like Noah Baumbach or Wes Anderson are of the kind that define a person's sense of humor. Everyone that I am close to loves films like these and I find that comforting. Buy it now!!

really boring boring boring not romantic at all!