How this film has become such catnip to critics is beyond me.
The premise- that an experienced lecturer should be forced to resign
over telling a girl to spend more time on her studies than her hair is
ludicrous, however politically correct an institution might have
become.
The interaction between the two leads is simply not credible. Meg,
Nick's wife tells him over lunch that he is "too cautious". One might
make such an observation within the first 5 years of a relationship,
but after 30 years of marriage?
The bickering, intended to be funny, is neither funny, nor even
bickering. To bicker is to good- naturedly argue about stuff which is
essentially inconsequential. At various times Meg threatens to leave
Nick, and threatens to go off with another man there and then, taunting
Nick's insecurity. After exchanging wounding and generalised criticisms
of each other, the viewer is expected to believe that within 5 minutes
the couple can be kissing passionately.
This film is supposed to be a comedy. It is not funny. Nor does it work
as drama, save potentially in the imaginations of a small tranche of
pretentious academics, and some film critics, to whom this film may say
something to them of their lives.
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