Touches You

Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

The biggest problem with this movie is it’s a little better than you think it might be, which somehow makes it worse. As in, it takes itself a bit too seriously, which makes most of the movie feel kind of dull.

First off, I found myself deeply touched at a few key places in the film.Next, I enjoy ensemble work by great comedic talent; and there's plenty of that in this flick.Also, I love good dramatic talent, like Bening.Here's where the mystery arises: Comedies with tired or near-nonexistent story lines, relying on seasoned talent to overcome this weakness, usually leave me cold. A great example of this was Tropic Thunder, which left me utterly disinterested; I turned it off at about the halfway mark.But there's something about "What Planet" that kept me engaged. It may have simply been that I so deeply respect the acting talent involved that I opened the tabernacle of my heart and let them in, in spite of myself. And, as I already mentioned, the effect was to have experienced some serious tugs at my heartstrings! If I reflect on what I saw, sifting through it a bit, here's the redeeming stuff I find: The writing, really, never drops the ball. One interesting effect relates to the fact that Kinnear was given freedom to ply his unique brand of comic, over-the-top sleezeball schtick, yet the scripted words coming out of his mouth kept him reasonably grounded (i.e., sort of believable as a "type") over about 95% of his screen time. Annette Bening was very well directed: She gives you something you can hang on to. And I'll add that it's perhaps a good example of artistic direction focused on that kind of goal; to deliver great laughs, while also keeping the laughs "warm" and delivering a redemptive payload. "Susan"'s contribution is to remind us of a simple thing; that some people really can change their lives and find love and relationship. Finally, there really are some fantastic "bits"; like the exchange between Garry and John Goodman in front of the house, at the end. Warm, witty, deadpan... the stuff of great comedy! And this all succeeds in communicating through a kind of haze; and I'm talking about the haze of middlebrow concept. Yes, I'd be blind not to have noticed that.So: If you like lighthearted comedies, but have been put off by formula or mythic weakness, I say rent this one and give it a spin. It ain't high art, but it *is* more than an evening's time-waster.

Lets see: good cast and interesting basic idea "Are men really from another planet when they treat women like that!" This could be funny. But no, this is failure. I don't understand men who say this is hilarious. Maybe they are laughing at themselves? Maybe some teenage boys think it is funny if a man says to woman he doesn't know "May I insert my penis into you?" It could be funny in a movie, but not in the real world. Maybe some men really are from another planet?Just another failed project from a comedian who wants to be movie star. He is no Eddie Murphy and he knows it. One of those movies you lose nothing is don't see it. BORING. NOT FUNNY.

Reading the rest of these comments, I realize that I must be from another planet, but here goes: this was the funniest thing I've seen in a very long time, and I recommend getting it and watching it right away. I don't know if it was Mike Nichols or Garry Shandling or whoever, but I couldn't stop laughing.

No faint praise here. On my fourth viewing, I was still howling with laughter.Garry Shandling is virtually unique in his ability to deliver an earthy joke with a light, even elegant, touch.Even this pic's defenders allow that it's not high art. Maybe not. But then again, just maybe.