The humorously amusing, provocative and depressing film Welcome to Me comes to home video featuring a daring performance by Kristen Wiig. With an offbeat script, incisive direction by Shira Piven and a support cast that comes through, the movie brazenly entertains. While the story may not appeal to all audiences, those that like an unusual comedy that holds nothing back should appreciate the film for its weird celebration of life.
Borderline personality conflicted Alice (Kristen Wiig) wins the California Lottery with a payoff of $86 million. Her first stop following the acceptance of the huge sum is with her shrink Dr. Daryl Moffet (Tim Robbins) who’s makes the statement, “Why are you off your meds?” Alice’s comment; “I want to do something big.” Taking up residence at a posh hotel and casino at Palm Desert, California’s American Indian Reservation, she settles in to watch TV.
Following the show “Live Alchemy” that features infomercials produced at New Vibrance Studios, Alice is assured she wants to start a new life. Enamored by the show’s host Gabe Ruskin (Wes Bentley) Alice decides to go see the daily show live. When she volunteers to be on camera with Gabe and sees herself on television, Alice makes a life altering decision to purchase and host a show on the failing network.
So beings a tale so wacky that only movie buffs will appreciate and possibly adore. With Alice’s borderline personality disorder out of control, refusing to take her meds and making outlandish comments, anything could happen and does. Director Shira Piven does a juggling act to keep her audience entertained. She lets her camera do the talking as we see Alice writing her own show “Welcome to Me”, the results of her obsessive need for sex, and senseless vengeance on former bullies. (Oh, and live dog neutering. Yep, it’s part of the script.) Close-ups on Wiig are a killer however, and shots of bungling sex scenes are senseless.
Wiig does give a showstopper performance as this wild and whimsical Alice. Putting on an edgy show under Piven’s guidance, she embodies her psychologically repressed character with an emotional intrepid display of life after becoming a millionaire. Welcome to Me is funny and sad, like a sweet and salty Nature Valley nut bar, both experiences interlocking together. Stepping in front of the camera in her ‘all’, Wiig dares to show she’s a trooper and wins my vote for a cowardly lion ‘courage’ badge.
BONUS FEATURES:
“Featurette” -This short interview based feature has comments during a ‘making of’ by Director Shira Piven, Screenwriter Elliot Lawrence. It also has members of the cast including Kristen Wiig and James Marsden chiming in from time to time.
The Blu-ray has excellent sound and video quality. The aspect ratio chosen for home video is widescreen 1.78:1 and fills 16×9 screens edge to edge and top to bottom. Audio features Dolby True HD and keeps the dialogue crisp and easy to understand. If you wish you can turn on the English SDH or Spanish subtitles.
Welcome to Me has been rated R by the MPAA for sexual content, some graphic nudity, language and brief drug use. Be cautious when deciding to allow immature children watch the film as it does have some scenes that are inappropriate for adolescents.
FINAL ANALYSIS: Offbeat and bizarre the movie leans toward the unconventional film fan. (C+)
Specifications and additional video information:
Cast: Kristen Wiig, Wes Bentley, Linda Cardellini, Joan Cusack, Loretta Devine, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Thomas Mann, James Marsden, Tim Robbins, Alan Tudyk.
Director: Shira Piven
MPAA Rating: R for sexual content, some graphic nudity, language and brief drug use
Genre: Comedy/Drama
Running Time: 1 hr. 28 min.
Original Theatrical Release Date: May 1, 2015
Video Release Date: June 16, 2015
Language: English
Reviewed Format: Blu-ray
Audio: DTS-HD
Video: 16×9 Widescreen
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish
Number of Discs: 1 Disc
Distributed by: Alchemy
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
