Blog Contributor: MEN, WOMEN & CHILDREN

I’m a fan of Jason Reitman’s films: Thank You for Smoking (2006) Juno (2007) Up in the Air (2009) Young Adult (2011) Labor Day (2013) there’s always a bit of melancholy mixed with subtle humor and a side of social commentary not far beneath the surface. So I’m not really sure why I haven’t made a point yet to see Men, Women & Children, although, The Rotten Tomatoes meter reading is 23 critics / 53 audience, which makes me think, no rush, see it eventually on Netflix. However, Monique, who has previously submitted reviews to Tinsel & Tine, loves the movie! See her reasons why below. – Le Anne Lindsay, Editor

MEN, WOMEN & CHILDREN

By Tinsel & Tine Blog Contributor Monique Steans

As a perfect end to my hectic week, I decided to take in Jason Reitman’s most recent effort, Men, Women & Children. Originally, a novel, by Chad Kultgen. This film explores sexuality, communication or lack there of in the digital age. With an ensemble cast, featuring Rosemarie DeWitt, Denis Haysbert, and Adam Sandler.
Throughout the film we see families being torn apart by infidelity, emotion, and the lack of communication due to social media and other online activities.

Almost everyone in this movie, high schoolers and their parents, has their life dominated by internet-connected devices. I felt a personal connection to Brandy Beltmeyer (Kaitlyn Dever) and her mother Patricia Beltmeyer (Jennifer Garner) because their relationship revolves around a lack of trust, as Patricia is obsessed with her daughter’s online life. It’s true, the internet can be a dangerous place and parents need to do some monitoring of social media and the likes, but in my own life, I’ve experienced the frustration of an overprotective parent. It does more harm than good. Like Brandy, I was a well behaved teenager, so all my mother’s mistrust of me was annoying and hurtful. Besides, even in the virtual world, sometimes you have to be allowed to make your own mistakes.

On a side note: In my opinion, Jennifer Garner gave yet another lackluster performance. I wonder how in the world she keeps getting work. She doesn’t take risks and her performances have become almost too painful to watch. Next up for her is Imagine, a comedy/drama starring Michael Cain and Al Pacino.

Kaitlyn Dever has another film out, LAGGIES starring Chloë Grace Morëtz, which screened at the Philadelphia Film Festival this past month. (click for T&T Fest coverage).

The Mooney family is dealing with a different turmoil.

Kent (Dean Norris) & Tim (Ansel Elgort) are dealing with social and emotional pain because the woman they both loved and cherished has abandoned them – Kent losing a wife and Tim a mother, sending Tim into such a depression that he no longer cares about being the star of the football team, a dream his father has been living vicariously through his son. The tension between father and son can be felt through the screen. Ansel Elgort, performance as the ex-jock with a sensitive heart, lost in the wave of loneliness and a budding crush for Brandy, delivered the perfect chaotic mix of sensitive, sad & tough teen angst. Up next for Ansel is: The Divergent Series: Insurgent.

The families are connected through Brandy and Tim and an eventual near tragic event. Ultimately, Men, Women & Children is about just unplugging now and again and being present – The twitter hagtag being #DisconnectToConnect.

Monique’s T &T’s LAMB Score: 5 outta 5