Review: How to Be (2009)

[Steve Rhodes]

HOW TO BE
A film review by Steve Rhodes
Copyright 2009 Steve Rhodes

RATING (0 TO ****):  **

Filled with British humor so dry that it's down-right parched, HOW TO BE may 
be a treat for some, but others, like me, may find its brand of comedy close 
to flavorless.

When Robert Pattinson's name came on the screen at our packed theater, many 
of his fans applauded loudly.  Although he had made no lasting impression on 
me before this film, he is best known for his work as Cedric Diggory in last 
two Harry Potter movies and for his more recent starring role in TWILIGHT. 
While it's clear to me now that his fans love him, I still don't understand 
the fascination they have for him.

In HOW TO BE, Pattinson, as Art, is asked to carry the picture, since his is 
the central character.  Other actors, such as Rebecca Pidgeon ("The Unit"), 
are there to support his lead performance, but HOW TO BE is basically a 
one-person film and a one-gag movie.

Art is a disillusioned young adult, who has many of the mannerisms of what 
we might call a slacker.  In the opening, Art's girlfriend says that she 
originally thought that she was dating "a deep and enigmatic poet," but now 
she realizes that her geeky boyfriend is just "sad and unhappy."  He's also 
a musician who I thought was quite awful, but undoubtedly others would 
disagree.  Clueless and oblivious to the world about him, Art mopes his days 
away feeling sorry for himself.

Complaining that he is going through a "quarter-life crisis," he turns to a 
self-help book in an attempt to change his life.  For his salvation, Art 
starts voraciously reading "It's Not Your Fault," by Dr.  Ellington (Powell 
Jones).  With headings such as "Your Inner Introvert" and "You Deserve 
Everything You Want," Art thinks he has discovered a text with all the 
answers he needs.

The central part of the story occurs after Art pays Dr.  Ellington several 
thousand pounds to come to Art's house and study his life with his 
dysfunctional parents, who barely acknowledge Art's existence.  The doctor 
is worth a smile or two, since his New Age theories are such rubbish.  But a 
few smiles were all HOW TO BE ever got from me and certainly no laughs. 
Still, if you're a big fan of Robert Pattinson, I suspect you won't be 
disappointed.  There were people in line with me before the doors opened who 
loved the film so much they were coming back to see it a second time.

HOW TO BE runs 1:25.

The film is being shown as part of San Jose's Cinequest Film Festival 
(www.Cinequest.org), which runs February 25-March 8, 2009.

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Email: Steve.Rhodes at InternetReviews.com

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