“Thinking of Rob” Review of ‘How to Be‘
by @FakerParis for MovieSet.com
‘How to Be,’ a movie written and produced by Oliver Irving, is a story that revolves around a young man named Arthur Freeman (Robert Pattinson), a struggling musician who just got dumped by his girlfriend.
Art goes through a quarter-life crisis and desperately needs to find himself. Unfortunately for Art he is surrounded by people who have as many problems, if not more, than he does. Although, mind you, they are better at hiding them than he is.
Art decides to take matters into his own hands and starts looking for ways to “cure” himself. While doing so he stumbles upon the self-help book It’s Not Your Fault written by Dr. Ellington (Powell Jones). Art, believing that this may very well be the solution to his problems, contacts Dr. Ellington who travels from Canada to England to help Art.
Powell Jones & Robert Pattinson in 'How to Be'
Robert Pattinson as Arthur in 'How to Be'
The arrival of Dr. Ellington creates all sorts of issues for Art. While he believes Dr. Ellington is helping him it actually generates more chaos in his life. Hilarity ensues (shut up in your face) and How to Be becomes a blame game where everyone blames each other for their problems, while forgetting to look at themselves to find the true underlying issues.
Filled with British humour, How to Be is sure to make you laugh. The characters are brilliantly played by the entire cast. Pattinson shines in the role of the adorkable Art, a role as far removed from Edward Cullen (The Twilight Saga) as can be. Pattinson shows us that he has more than one trick up his sleeve and a promising acting career ahead of him. Irving truly manages to convey how people often try to hide their own problems and project them onto others.
The How to Be DVD comes with great bonus features including behind the scene and audition footage, a Comcast interview with Robert Pattinson and much more.
How to Be is definitely a great movie and a must see, because sometimes we all need a little help.
How To Be – Trailer
A young man having an existential crisis convinces a Canadian self-help guru to come to London and become his personal life coach.
31 Comments
Great job FP! I’ve ordered my copy and can’t wait to see it!
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Sites like http://kristenitsover.com are another form of reaction to the over-hyped Twilight buzzfest.
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I absolutely love Rob Pattinson but I thought this movie was horrible. The script was bad, not Rob’s acting. It was depressing and not very funny. This is the only one of his stuff I would not buy to watch again. I have all his other little acting parts on tape though.
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Animalover95 Reply:
December 3rd, 2009 at 3:52 pm
@Erika, I agree with your statement about the movie “How to be”
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Great review, FP! I love HTB, and Rob’s performance in it. :)
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I LOVED this movie. I thought it was really funny and Rob was adorable as Art. Great review!
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Great job FP! Very well thought out review!
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FakerParis I couldn’t have said it better myself! Totally agree with everything you said! Well done with the review!
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fantastic review FP i loved how to be it made me laugh a lot and was nice to see Rob in a completely different role
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I’m a huge Rob Pattinson fan…I’ve only seen HTB once, and to be honest, it didn’t “grab” me like Rob’s other movies (The Haunted Airman and The Bad Mother’s Handbook)…Rob’s acting was fantastic, but the story line seemed to drag.
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Great review FP, love following you on twitter!
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I liked your review. One, because you “get” the movie (it’s not supposed to be just about Rob the actor), that some people are better at hiding their problems, and people tend to project their unhappiness onto others. I loved the message that we are basically alone– you can only really change yourself.
I agree with you the acting is very good. I thought the script was clever, too and I really liked the music and how it was used. I think the movie captured that “limbo” or “getting stuck” stage some of us go through before we choose/pursue some path for ourselves after school. We all have to start somewhere and just “move.”
I am glad you highly recommend the movie. I think it’s great for seeing what Rob is capable of, to start with. But it’s just a cute, albeit not important, little film that has a little message, but one I think a lot of people should hear. I hope others buy or rent the movie and enjoy it.
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I guess everyone has different opinions but I was smiling and nodding through most of the movie. I relate a lot to Art, not necessarily to his problems, but to the lack of knowing how to deal with them. I really liked this movie and the way he acted because if you’ve ever had an identity crisis you know that is exactly what it’s like. It makes you want to hug Art and tell him it will be ok, but the reality is it is a hard process and it takes time. This film shows that and that is why I like it. Oh, the “shut up in your face” line is my favorite. I LOVE that line ^_^
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YAY FOR U FP!
btw, im totally team Arthur .haha xD
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exciting! makes me wanna watch the movie again!
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I loved the movie I thought it was so funny I like actors that are willing to take on the less than attractive roles
I adored the Character of Art he reminds me of my son (how sad I know) that awkward off beat kinda lost thing
I think the script was good and for a smaller movie I think the movie moved pretty well
I can see why some would not enjoy it the humor is not for everyone
I do think Rob fans might enjoy seeing him in a different type of Role
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Great review FP! I loved this movie. It headlined the Livermore Film Festival here in California where I saw it and Oliver was there. He was great and had a great Q and A. This movie was funny, sad and touched my heart all at once. I remember turning 25 – it was a BIG issue for me, although I didn’t quite have the reaction that Art did LOL.
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Oh wow! I love it already and I haven´t seen it! I really hope they release it here in Mexico! I can´t wait to see Rob and his guitar!
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It’s funny how there are two opposite views of “How To Be”. I have yet to see that movie, but I want to. You seem to have written a fairly thorough and fair review.
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Great review! I loved How to Be and Rob’s performance in it.
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Great Job! I love the review FP! I love following you on Twitter!!!!
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Wonderful review! It showed a comprehensive review of the actual movie, and a great understanding of the storyline and what I think that the meaning of the story is. A lot of people get caught up in what they thought of Rob in comparison to his other works, instead of getting caught up in “adorkable” Art and the quirky, relatable characters in the movie. Great work, FP!
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I haven’t seen this movie yet. I love Rob and nerdy, quirky Rob is so much better. Great review! Can’t wait to get around to see it!
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I did see this movie twice and thought I was the only one in the world that did NOT like it. I loved Rob’s performance and found him endearing and quite funny. Your review is good. Concise and well-written. Thanks.
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I loved How To Be! I thought Rob did a great job…he was so awkward and adorable.
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Great review FP! I’ve been contemplating seeing this movie, but now I think I will go out and get it.
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Great review!! :) Here’s my contribution.
I love this movie, it grabbed me in such a personal way. Art was amazingly brave, he dared being awkward. Only a strong person sees life like he does: he can’t even conceive to dissimulate. Art was defenseless because he never learned this easy trick of the adults. All he had, all he was he put it out there. Yes, he was miserable. But he is the most honest character ever setting foot in our imagination.
It’s a movie about Parents. So many people don’t ever grasp the responsibility of bringing a new person in this world. Family should be the hard core of our existence, the root where we all draw our strength from. There are so many parents who are like that. They watch this stranger who is tied to them for good, they watch him with grit, hostility… an uncomfortable part of their daily routine. In best case scenario, they feel guilty… but even that takes a bit of interest, a bit of feeling. “I wonder about you sometimes” is not the worst thing that can happen. “Your existence is an oxymoron” encapsulates all the helplessness of a father who doesn’t have the slightest desire to be one.
It’s a movie about Self help books. “It’s Not Your Fault, alias Twart the Freezing Guilt of Your Dysfunctional Past”. Huh? Snort! LMAO! Have you seen Little Miss Sunshine? Perfect example of who is really writing these.
But despite all this negativity, Art moved past this. He found a way. He did it without losing himself in the process!!! He never compromised. He is my hero.
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I like your review. I have always like Rob but i wasn’t sure what this movie was about. I thought it was a biography on Rob at first, but after realizing this is a movie it looks like a lot of fun. I really want to see this now!
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This was a great review. It was very simple to the point and it makes me really want to go out and see this movie! It’s like one of those undiscovered gems!!
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I love this movie and I love your review! The movie has everything and I think it really epitomizes Rob’s true self. It’s witty and very entertaining, and it gave him the boost he needed to continue to be an actor. Cheers x
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GREAT review, FP, I’m impressed ;)
How To Be is just fantastic!!! :D
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Should I laugh or cry while watching a young man flounder in life desperately seeking acceptance and love, which should have come from his parents and sadly never did? Heartthrob, Rob Pattinson, in his earlier work, proves that he has definite range as far as his acting skils go..
Pattinson is not prettied up for this part, but plays a “loser”, made in part by his parents, but nevertheless needs to grow up and away from his parents.
I think this flick was supposed to be funny but was really very sad and in the end it is not “Authur’s” parents who heal him or his expensive life coach but he himself.
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