‘How to Be‘ Review
By Marina Antunes, for Movieset.com
Before he was Edward Cullen, heartthrob to millions of pre-teens, teens and women over 30 (basically, nearly every female with a pulse), Robert Pattinson was a whole lot of things but none of them ever garnered him the following that ‘Twilight’ did.
His career will forever be divided as pre and post “Twilight” and if all goes well (as they appear to be going), Pattinson will have a long career. One can only imagine that in thirty years, someone will look back at his filmography and decide to delve into the actor’s pre-Twilight career; I only hope that brave soul will opt for a better film than ‘How to Be.’
Oliver Irving’s debut film is an angst riddled story of a frumpy young man named Art (Pattinson). He has issues with his friends, issues with his girlfriend, issues with his parents…he’s an unhappy soul in search of rescue. After an ugly break-up, he returns home and in hopes of turning his life around, spends a big chunk of his inheritance to hire Dr. Ellington, a self-help guru from Canada. Through a muddled and rather uninteresting unfolding of events, Art discovers that only he can help himself and in a triumphant final act, we see the changed Art, a guy who seems to have made a change in his life; a change for the better.
If quirk to the max is your cup of tea, this is the movie for you. Irving’s film wouldn’t be nearly as annoying if he’d managed to step away from trying (too hard) to make his characters “hip” and actually developed them beyond troubled boys with too much money and not enough sense. Ronny comes across as a whiny, know-it-all with personal problems of his own living in a flat decorated in 80s chic and playing music more reminiscent of 64bit computers than anything modern. Then there’s Nikki who comes across as a self-serving ass more interested in getting laid than helping poor Art out of his funk. And Art…poor Art. He’s such a sad sap that one can’t help but feel sorry for him but that only lasts until you want to smack him across the back of the head as a wake-up call. What’s worse is that outside of the lead, these characters don’t change. There’s no growth, no new understanding of themselves, the people around them or the world at large – just a feeling that you’ve spent 85 minutes with two characters you don’t really like and a third you just feel sorry for.
Robert Pattinson as " Arthur"
Yet, among this drivel of self loathing is a solid performance from Pattinson who seems at home in his oversized jacket, long hair and guitar. There’s an awkwardness and self deprecating manner to the character that could have come created yet another unlikeable character but Pattinson’s low-key performance creates a whole person who is lost and confused but real in a story that is contrived and full of events and people you don’t care about.
It’s not a complete waste of time but ‘How to Be’ is far from a great movie or even an entertaining one. It is, however, a great lead performance for a young actor who has more to offer than simply good looks. Let’s just hope his other projects give him more to work with.
10 Comments
I never heard of Robert Pattinson until the Twilight series came out in the movies, who would of thought he would stir up such a buzz?
Reply
I thought Rob was wonderful in Harry Potter and I just love him in Twilight. How to Be was funny and I look forward to seeing him in many, many more Movies!
Reply
I didn’t know about mr. Pattinson before Twilight, just like many other people. I can understand the hype that is created around his earlier projects, but it isn’t a garantee it is a good movie, like mentioned in the review. Allthough the acting itself can be great, script, filming and editing can take away a lot of that. I haven’t seen the movie yet and yes, I was contemplating on watching it because of mr. Pattinson (I think I’m not alone here). I wanna watch it objectively: like I said. Not every movie is immediatly great, because of an actor who’s in it.
Reply
In general I htought this movie was awkward, but Pattinson’s performance really made it worthwhile. I think with a better script he can easily succeed in comedic film.
Reply
I have to agree with you. I am a TOTAL ROB FAN – but How To Be left me a bit cold. The quirky wit was generally lost on me and I felt that the story line din’t really flow as well as it could have. Rob was good, but the vehicle not so great. Little Ashes was MUCH better!
Reply
Thanks for sharing this review. I love quirky witty humor in general, so I’m really looking forward to seeing this one. At least with your critical perspective in mind I feel I will not be disappointed.
However, I can’t wait to see Rob Pattinson acting in some better quality films. I loved his acting and the mood in The Haunted Airman, but I did feel like it shared some of the issues you pointed out with this film: the plot could have been more interesting or tighter. It seemed like a story best enjoyed in print.
Even though Rob has signed up for several bigger budget projects over the next year (Unbound Captives and Bel Ami both have established actors in main roles), I hope the right comedic role opens up for Rob soon.
Reply
I like him and think he is a hottie! I can def see the appeal.
Reply
I don’t know much about this guy, but ur review has def peaked my curiosity on this film.
Reply
I thought it was a REALLY entertaining movie, and yes, the characters ARE supposed to be awkward and are NOT supposed to be likeable, and that’s what I like so much about it!! Haha. To each their own I guess, but I thought his friends were hilarious, and I really think they actually steal the spotlight in most of the scenes, even though Pattinson is great in it, it’s just the way his character Art is thrown in the background because of the storyline, even though he is technically the “main” character. The pub scene was one of my faves, but there’s a lot. The script is great. His Mom was a little too mean, yes, but I thought it was hilarious how she was always like “I wonder about you sometimes…”
Reply
I thought How to Be was a hilariously entertaining film and real at the same time. I bought the DVD as soon as it was available in the U.S. This movie would not have been the same without Rob though. He made Art someone you could pity, laugh at, laugh with, and relate to all at the same time. This movie is mostly a comedy, but it does have a serious storyline about finding oneself (although exaggerated). I thought Rob and Michael Irving (Ronny) had great chemistry, especially in the “Should we start a band. Should we have a jam session on Tuesday. Tuesday, Tuesday, Tuesday.” scene. I’m laughing now just thinking about it. Dr. Ellington was so ridiculous, but in a good way. Rob said in an interview that Art is someone who wants to be depressed because he thinks it’s the thing to do so to speak, but doesn’t really have anything to be depressed about. As to there not being any growth to the other characters: Ronny went out with the guys and left his apartment, Art’s parents realized their pasts were influencing how they treated Art, and Dr. Ellington came to the conclusion that maybe he couldn’t help Art. Yes, Art had the biggest change as the song lyrics went from “Chokin on the Dust” to “I’m Doin Fine,” and he is the main character. Of all the pre-Twilight films Rob has done I feel that How to Be was his best work. I’m looking forward to Remember Me and The Twilight Saga: Eclipse next year.
Reply