Film Review : Smashed
Smashed
Directed by James Ponsoldt; Written by James Ponsoldt, Susan Burke
Starring Aaron Paul, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Nick Offerman, Octavia Spencer, Megan Mullaly
Smashed is a story about Kate and Charlie. Kate and Charlie like to drink…every night…and every afternoon…and with every meal…and with – well, you get the idea. But at the center of Smashed is a character drama that forces its audience to question when the person you fell in love with starts being someone else, can you still love them?
Between swigs of beer late at night at home and shots of whiskey early in the morning in her car, we peer into the life of Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter) as she portrays Kate, a First Grade school teacher taking a long look into her dissent of Alcoholism and trying to climb her way out to normality. During her sobriety, she finds that a wall begins to raise in her marriage, as her Music-writer husband Charlie continues in the same vein as always.
While Smashed doesn’t prove much in showing us material that we haven’t seen from a sobriety/work-through-all-
Subtle, beautiful, and Sad – James Ponsoldt’s second feature proves sharp writing and essential credibility go a long way in material which can be so easily portrayed as overwrough. Instead of showing us the same character types screwing up, failing at rehab and working through issues until they get it right; we are treated to a main character wanting help for her own self – and seeking to obtain said marker.
As an able Director, Ponsoldt is able to pull performances from his casts that are a real treat to watch – tense and disastrous, yes but a true treat which you will want to continue to enjoy. Cinematographer (Tobia Datum) provides beautifully unnoticed and trafficked locales in Los Angeles, while adding just enough POV shaky cam where needed to bring the audience into the World and sight lines of its main character. Finally, Andy Cabic and Eric D. Johnson throw in a touch of indie-flair to the score for a fully rounded cinematic experience.
More than anything Smashed unveils an outstanding showcase for Mary Elizabeth Winstead’s dramatic talents which runs from humorous to disturbing in the span of the 85 minute Feature. Winstead’s Kate is deeply nuanced and impressively detailed. Through a terrific and terrifying journey, the underrated Winstead proves Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World was just the tip of the iceberg from this terrific actress.
Accurately portraying Charlie is Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad) as the all-is-good, borderline adolescent-alcoholic husband. Though some character choices and line delivery are a bit too close to his Breaking Bad counter point, the performance is still solid enough to take the actor at face value.
Other notable performances include:
Megan Mullally (Will and Grace) as the relentless optimistic Principle whose heart is bigger than her head.
Nick Offerman (Parks and Rec) as the wonderful Dave Davies is a delight to watch as a recovering alcoholic and Vice Principle at Kate’s school. The performance is a dry, dull, just below the surface and altogether touching sweet friend who we all should be so lucky to have in our personal circles. Offerman also delivers possibly one of the most deadpan, awkward lines you will hear all of 2012.
Overall, Smashed isn’t the type of film which warrants On-Demand watching parties on a Friday night and certainly is suited for more intimate indie-house screenings. That aside, this is a strong character piece that will strike a chord for both performance and production while handling the fine line of balance without approaching overboard.
Rating: A-
~ Matt Miles, Producer of Fresh Roasted Films
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