Brad's Status: It's Complicated

If you were looking for a movie to see last weekend, good luck trying to find a screen that wasn't showing "Mother!" or "It."   Well, nestled into your multiplex was also "Brad's Status" and it's a worthy alternative to the other mayhem next door.   Nobody dies or gets blown up or CGI-ed in any fashion.   

Surprise, surprise.   There are people out there who won't get sucked into that. The theater where I saw "Brad's Status" was packed.   And probably not disappointed.

This is an adult movie for adults.   If you're middle aged, even better.   Because the lead character of Brad, played with the suitable mix of pathos and neuroses by the surprising Ben Stiller, resonates with a lot of folks.   Me, for one.

Come on.   If you are over 40, you've compared your life unfavorably to people you grew up or went to college alongside.  You envision how great their existence is and you wonder where the hell you went wrong.  Don't lie.   We've all been there.   I can tell you that I have at least 10 close friends that I am envious of and personally feel that I don't measure up to.  So do you.

So, Brad is just like us.   He's both proud and ashamed of his career in a non-profit organization.   He loves his wife but imagines her as much younger and, well, frankly not her.   To make matters worse, his college chums are all wildly successful...a Wall Street tycoon, a famed film director, and a noted political commentator and author.   In a narration that is virtually non-stop throughout the film, Brad tells us all his emotions, both good and bad.

All of this comes out as Brad is encompassing his high school senior son Troy, well essayed by Austin Abrams, on a tour of New England colleges.   The young man, a gifted pianist, wants to study at Harvard with a noted music professor. Brad is determined to make this happen whether he can afford it or not.   He is trying to set his son up with a great life just as all these doubts are emerging about his own.

This all works magically in scenes where nothing happens but a lot happens. The emotions are all real and instantly identifiable.   If I had a son like Troy, I would be going through the same angst.

"Brad's Status" is a terrific little movie that deserves your attention.   Especially if you have no interest in seeing things like "Mother!" and "It."

Enjoy.   And you're welcome.

LEN'S RATING:  Three-and-a-half stars.

Dinner last night:  Angel hair pasta with cherry tomatoes, garlic, onions, and pancetta.