Quirky and at bit unhinged, the movie Phil has enough comedy and meaning to carry the 1 hour and 45 minutes. However, that said, the film does wane a bit during the middle and the ending comes as no surprise. Nice cast and cinematography, it’s one of those gems that you sit and watch and wonder who comes up with stories like this.
Phil McGuire (Greg Kinnear) is a notable dentist and has a huge following. So many clients he even has trouble fitting in his top tiered patients that arrived at a moment’s notice. But, he’s been feeling disturbed over his recent divorce and finds his life slipping out of control.
Today he gets a visit from Michael Fisk (Bradley Whitford) a wealthy client who is very talkative and cheerful. Mesmerized by Fisk he wonders what the man has that makes his life so good. Trying to figure out his own downside, he starts to stalk Fisk to find out how he does it. He admires Fisk for his perfect life and enough love beyond what Phil can even imagine, but in the midst of his stalking Fisk up and hangs himself. Lost in thought on why he ended his life in that manner, Phil chooses a strange way to get close to his widow Alicia (Emily Mortimer) to hunt for the reason.
Greg Kinnear also directs the film and for some it’s not a chore to act as well. But, he lets the film get away from him. Thinking the movie through, there’s several downsides. He makes it too easy to get close to Alicia Fisk, doesn’t show enough of why Phil’s divorced and is so depressed, why he wouldn’t just hire another dentist if he’s overworked, why his daughter Molly (Megan Charpentier) feels so estranged from him and a few other picky reasons why the film’s not up to par.
I really think the film’s plot is too unrealistic even for a comedy to direct and take a role. The story really needs to be stepped away from to see a true perspective of how it is coming together so plot holes can be fixed and comedic timing improved. Kinnear should have either directed the film or taken the lead and leave the job up to a seasoned comedy drama director to bring it all together.
Phil has been rated R by the MPAA for some language and a violent/disturbing image.
FINAL ANALYSIS: Lack of realism reduces the enjoyment of the film. (2 out of 5 Stars)
Additional Film Information:
Cast: Greg Kinnear, Eoin Bates, April Cameron
Directed by: Greg Kinnear
Genre: Comedy, Drama
MPAA Rating: R for some language and a violent/disturbing image
Running Time: 1 hr. 45 min.
Opening Date: July 5, 2019
Distributed by: Quiver Distribution
Released in: Theaters, VOD, Digital HD
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
