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While I had no doubt that Robert Pattinson would bring to the world an interesting and complicated character in How To Be, I simply could not anticipate how clever, awkward, and frustrating the film (and the plight of its wayward and romantically lost character Art) would be.
Beginning with the most insipidly unusual and unforgivingly cold of familial circumstances, Art's hopeless effort at making his place in the small world of those around him is devastating. Nearly deserving tears from your eyes, Art suffers an alienation and endlessness in struggle that leaves one bitter and completely sympathetic.
And Robert Pattinson, star of The Twilight Saga: New Moon and Little Ashes, is the deliverer of that emotion.
While the film itself is surprising, well-oriented between its cherry-picked-with-care sound accompaniments and eclectic visual elements, and well-written, it is Robert Pattinson who makes the day with How To Be.
From his writhing anger to his ceaseless whining, Robert Pattinson portrays Art in the adorably "stuck" fashion that gives meaning and life to the character's circumstances. In the film, there is a scene where Art is so frustrated and upset that he wants to hit something, but because he is so fearful of pain and suffering (sort of a wimp, really), he can't even bring himself to do that. It is clear that even his trepidation with expressing his anger causes him anguish. It is Pattinson's performance, from his squinted hints of confusion and disallusionment to his choking gasps as he sobs furiously, that pulls this character off. What could have been a role that reaches no identifiability in audience becomes someone you want to just reach out and hug.
My favorite scene is where Art is reaching out for a hug from his mother. I think that this five seconds of the film fairly accurately symbolizes the slightly aggravating message being brought to us with How To Be - a boy whose mommy didn't love him and what tragic bereavement he suffers as a consequence.
The rest of the cast (including Rebecca Pidgeon, Michael Irving, Jeremy Hardy, Mike Pearce, Johnny White, Powell Jones, and, of course, leading lady (well, sort of) Alisa Arnah) delivered on their bits too. From the stern and bombastic mother who you can't decide whether to hate or agree with (at times) to the "friend" whose antics and very words you want to reach out, grab, and throw into a garbage disposal, these supporting actors' performances lend credence to the sympathies for Art's dilemma.
And yet, you can't quite put your finger on what Art's dilemma really is. Is he bitter with his parents or in love with them? In other words, is he trying to get away from them or is he trying to make them hold onto him? Is he in love with the girl or just looking for anyone, yes anyone, to be a genuine friend to him? It's all very confusing, really, but that gets to be part of the charm of the film all the same. Just watching this giant (yet miraculously not overplayed) disaster unfold in someone's lap (which already contained a host of other complications in the first place) and seeing that he has no idea what to make of it and is clearly not strong enough to figure it out on his own, it's heartbreaking really.
As the credits roll, and some semblance of peace is brought to the life of Pattinson's character, one still can't be sure whether to feel closure, or to remain sad. The "resolution" that How To Be leaves us with for Art feels more like a semi-climax than an ending, and it is wrought with irony and sarcasm. Yet, it is this very aspect of the film that leaves the viewer thinking (think Sopranos finale, and take it back five or six levels of abrupt) past the ending.
Overall, I was completely taken with How To Be. From start to finish, the rollercoaster ride that is this film is completely entrancing. While it may be deeply frustrating and saddening, and downright affecting, to see the sad-song that is Art go through these toils and tumultuous underpinnings he calls life, the film is still beautiful. In all, great story - worthy of its appraise.
So, did you watch How To Be on IFC on Demand yesterday? Did you enjoy the film? Why or why not? Comment below and let us know!
- Click here to read the exclusive interview with Robert Pattinson on Fandango.
- For the Twilight Sisterhood's review of How To Be, please see here.
- Also, my friends over at PB have a blog about the "break-up scene" in this film here and others here.
- For a discussion about the How To Be soundtrack, please see here.
Comments
It's a shame How to Be is not available outside the US. I guess I will have to wait for the UK DVD release to see it. Anyway, since you seemed to love it, it is worth waiting that long.
As for Rob Pattinson's performance, I'm sure it is incredible. That he won the Best Actor Award at the Strasbourg Film Festival for this part is no coincidence.
I watched "How to Be" today on IFC on demand. I loved the movie. I doubt I would ever be able to think of anything as bad if it has Robert Pattinson's name attached to it, but I really did love it. It actually did make me cry. RP is a terrific actor and his personality complete with humility and wit, makes him even more appealing. As if that were possible! I really enjoyed Johnny White's performance as Art's friend Ronny as well.
What a wonderful review. Amanda I always enjoy your article on Rob and thoroughly enjoyed reading this. I've not seen the film yet as I;m in the UK and will have to wait for the DVD but I;m pleased that people in the US appreicate the film and see Pattinson's huge potential.
I just watched How To be and was very moved by Pattinson's performance. The hug moment will stay with me for a long time. I found it tragic. Pattinson was incredible. I love how he's brave enough not to try and soften the character and make him more appealing. The film and his performance had a very different feel to it from the usual types of films we get to see. I cant compare it to anything and thats a big compliment.
I don't have the IFC direct channel and am dying to see it. Will it be released on DVD? And if so, when?
How to Be was great and Rob Pattinson's performance was even better. The movie reminded me of Rebel without a Cause as a dramedy. If anybody ever saw James Dean in Rebel then you know what I'm talking about. Rob's performance in How to Be equals James Dean's performance in Rebel without a Cause.
Excellent review and you explained it so much better than I could. Did anyone else cry. I did a few times. I found I got more and more emotional as the film progressed and I felt more and more empathy with Art. Towards the last third I cried a LOT. When the mother passes on the message to Art that his father did love him I was a gonna.
Rob was fantastic. Even better than I was expecting and I was expecting a lot.
so i just watched " how to be" last night through my on demand. when i rented it i thought i needed to keep an open mind beings i am so peculiar about my independent film selection, i found within the first 10 minutes i was giggling and intrigued with the character " art". the way that he craves love and attention is no different from most people that walk this earth, he was just denied the simple gestures his whole life which has made him second guess his behavior later in his life. I really enjoyed this film very much so much so i watched it again today. Robert Pattinson has been one of my fav actors since i saw him in "goblet of fire" due to the fact he does such a great job portraying a character. After i have seen how to be i have to say he is one of the most talent younger actors of my time at least ( in which im 24). Robert pattinson seems to be able to portray any character, you can feel his emotion/inner turmoil/ and conflict that every character he plays goes threw. if you like how to be you would also enjoy the " bad mother handbook"
looking forward to little ashes, looks like he really can pull off any role with dignity and charisma
I absolutely 100% agree. I think Robert did an amazing job of portraying Art's struggle. I felt so bad for him throughout the movie. I just wanted to give him a hug LOL. Of course I knew Robert would do a great job, but what I didn't expect was how much I would get into his character and want to be there to help him. Job well done Rob, I LOVED IT.
I absolutely loved the movie. I had not seen Rob in any other movie other than Twilight, so I wanted to see him act in something else. Rob did a excellent job as Art who apparently could not say what he felt he needed. As emotions go, I felt all of them. I found myself laughing out loud..especially them at the bar, sadness..when he tried to hug his mother, frustrated..when no one understood him. So Rob, great job in moving me! I look forward watching Little Ashes and the rest of your movies.
I think he did a fantastic job! I loved Twilight, well I'm sort of addicted to Twilight, but I will admit he was alittle creepy and the same through out the movie. It was diffrent to see him act with so many diffrent emotions. He was really good! I can't wait till it comes out on DVD, if it come out. I hope it does!
Pattinson was exceptional in this film. He really is the DEPP of his generation.
i ordered it last night. it was pretty good... heartbreaking and sad, but good!
I thought the movie was very weird at first, it was very slow and sad in some parts. But then it would switch and be funny and crazy. I had to just let myself sit back and watch the whole thing. Once the ending came, I looked back and was like ok, I get it.
After the movie I talked it over with the group of us that saw it. Each of us found something we could relate to, and that started this whole topic of our own up brining. I would not have seen this movie if Rob was not in it, but I am very happy that I did.
I wonder if this will come out on DVD so that we can buy it???
Saw the movie last night and found it just heartbreaking. Excellant performances, especially by Rob. The scene when he tries to hug his mother was so sad. His Mother reminded me of the Mary Tyler Moore character in Ordinary People. Also loved the scene at the club when he gives himself a peptalk. You know from that that he will make it (eventually). Great film, but sad.
I saw this movie at a screening and I love it. There is something everyone can relate to, and I think that is also presented in the film in the scene with Art's parents and the Dr. when they are discussing their childhoods. The movie will be available on DVD after the IFC Direct run is over (according to Oliver Irving).
I watched it yesterday with my 12 year old daughter, and i got to say the first 15 min. i wasn't sure what to make of it, my daughter wanted to watch it because of course Robert was playing in it. I kept saying to may daughter " ok, kind of weird, i am not sure if it was worse its money, to rent this movie on demand." My daughter (smile) was actually the one who said, mom, keep watching he is to good of an actor as that the movie wouldn't be good. Well, we did watched it done, my daughter was crying and i was actually just sitting there and thought, wow, he IS good, i completely felt for him. To be able to bring such a disturbed, troubled young man over who is actually just looking for being loved and accepted by his parents, i got to say i was stunted. My daughter said, mom i am glad you are my mom and i don't have to proof my self to you, i know you love me just the way i am. that was the point were i was crying, (smile). So just for that i have to say 'GREAT JOB ROBERT'
Oh, my favorite part was, when his mom said in this very weird way, that his dad wants him to know that he loves him.
I've watched it twice and I loved it even more the second time. I laughed a lot. I felt sad. I felt happy. I felt frustrated. I felt annoyed. I felt content. The second time I cried for Art. Rob Pattinson did an incredible job. I loved this movie and I would recommend it to anyone!
Great article!
Amanda,
What a great article. I haven't seen this movie but your review has convinced me to see it.
Sharon
Saw the movie on IFC on demand. Wow. I was not expecting to cry. Rob was incredibly brave in his performance. What a journey he took me on: happy, sad, hopeful. Ugh. I'm going to see it again and again.
Would love to see it, but I do not have IFC and live far, far away from anywhere that indie film festivals. Oh, the trade-offs for clean air and being able to leave your doors unlocked!
I've watched it 3 times in the past 24 hours and will do so again and again. Thank you Amanda, for once again summing up all of my own feelings about this incredible movie. I laughed, I cried, I felt frustrated, angry, even guilty. He is the most believable actor....I kept thinking, "Is this really Edward Cullen?" Amazing!!! I'm grateful that we'll have many more sides to see of this fine actor for years to come!
What an amazing movie! The characters were spot on perfect, emotionally and physically. Rob was wonderful! Even if you were only watching the movie because it was "Rob ... Edward", you soon forgot about Edward and Twilight and concentrated on Art. To be able to get so involved in a character certainly says a lot about the person portraying them. Excellent job, Rob.
I *loved* the scene of the 3 friends in the bar ... drinking and talking and laughing. Just one of many that were my favorites.
Rob's choices of roles have all been unexpectedly intelligent and he has thrown his heart and soul into each and every one of them. Not to mention his level-headedness and sense of humour! This bodes very well for his future and I look forward to lots more great performances from him, whether Oscar-winning or not.
Great review!!
I watched this film and it is very good, the script is quite intelligent, the dark british humor is refreshing specially dealing with a topic as therapy and how everything in life that we fail we associate it with the relationship we had with our parents, typical of the days we are living that most of the humanity is acting stress out or depress.
The character of Art shows a kid that had many possibilities in his up growing, typical middle class kid with parents too occupied in their works trying to make us much money as possible, too busy getting “busy” so they could have it as an excuse for the lack of bonding with their son, and Art is a guy that is just trying to find a place for his own, but clearly keeps failing so he tries feeling better with him self taking a therapy that says “it is not you fault” so he can put himself as the victim.
This a very clever script, very honest and human, and the actors playing in it are very good; an special mention to Robert Pattinson, who did an amazing job performing as Art, I totally forgot this was the actor that played Edward Cullen or Cedric Diggory, he becomes Art in front of our eyes and it takes you to a ride on emotions. This actor has an amazing range in his craft, I really hope that we will be able to watch him playing more of this kind of characters that are so elaborated in their psychological aspects, because Robert can really construct them and play them very believable
I saw it and it was amazing! I agree with your review, in fact one of my favorite scenes was the hug as well. What I loved the most however was when Art talks to himself in the mirror, saying he's not nobody, but somebody. It made me cry in a happy way. 100 stars!
Couldn't wait to rent it and watched it 4 times and thought he really can act!!!!!!!!!!
It made you feel sorry for poor Art. Glad I got to see it. Looking forward to seeing Little Ashes next week and all his other movies coming up. Good luck to him always.
Thought the film was dreadful. Robert Pattinson can't act. Twilight has been his career saviour.
The only reason this film is even being reviewed is because of Twilight.
Great review.I loved the movie and felt the most with the Art character. He made me connected to the character and the second time I have seen it -ridiculously- I even felt a weird kind of pain for Art.
Well done, Rob. Please do more of this kind of movies when you get free from the Twi-hype.
Rich white people with problems make a terrible film.
Because rich white people with problems just make problems with themselves to ignore the problems they make elsewhere.
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