Downhill

At this point, Ferrell has so consistently played the same character time after time, that to see him in a more serious role just seems wrong. I kept waiting for something actually funny to happen, but after about an hour I realized that it wasn't just another Will Farrell comedy, it wasn't really a comedy at all. I can't say I was particularly impressed, but I was puzzled, not sure if that's what they were going for with this, but that's what I got.

A quiet, adult drama that seems to never get made anymore. This is based on a Swedish film that I will never watch. Glad they made it for North American audiences.

Look at the ratings, my dearest cinephile friends. All ratings under Tier 7 are by users who are not married with children. Guaranteed!

Having not yet seen FORCE MAJEURE, I can only comment on this film on its own terms; I have to wonder if Ferrell and Louis-Dreyfus aren't miscast here - both play their roles as if they are in a broader, Sandler-ish comedy where a more low-key and contemplative approach would have been more appropriate (and the less said about Otto's overplayed cameo, the better). Makes me shudder to think what the upcoming U.S. SCENES FROM A MARRIAGE might look like!

What an odd little movie. You have two comedy heavyweights in the lead roles, and there are only a couple uncomfortable laughs generated between the two of them. Some poignant truths about marriage and parenting save this from being a complete waste of time.

I'll give this some points for having heart, but the journey couldn't have been made more tepid and bland. Even real life situations have more comedy and drama.

A "dark" comedy that is shot so bland and whose comedy is so sparse it's hard to call this anything but a made for tv american remake. You watch a couple's marriage fall apart for 90 minutes, the movie tries to make each parent equally shitty, meaning we hate the two main characters. Every side character gets barely enough screentime to make me wish the movie was about them.

Entertainment: 3.5. Spirit: 1. Sustainability: 0. Family: 1.5

Pitiful.

Like almost every other Will Ferrell movie, this sucked! Not even the terrific JL-D, or the fantastic Miranda Otto could save this piece of shit.

Not a comedy but a decent drama where a married couple have to reevaluate their marriage.

Watch the original.

Both Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Will Ferrell were annoying. The movie was about as much fun as watching a long family fight. This comedy was not funny. All of the humor fell flat. I tried to hang in there and finish it, but it was just too tedious and boring to watch all the way through

Despite lacklustre reviews, Downhill delivers a few acute observations about a decaying marriage. There are a few funny moments (the avalanche, using the kids to win the argument), a few cringeworthy moments (parenting in front of the helicopter), and plenty of dull ones (the entire 3rd act). Perhaps this is a film that is better watched once you've lived it. Otto delivers a bizarre yet memorable performance. The ending is disappointingly ambiguous, rather than delivering the needed punchline.

Viewed February 15, 2020.