This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

The film may be flawed, but its message is not.

A clunky actioner with a handful of cool moments.

This is a somewhat cute little bar hopping movie that always seems like it's going to end badly, but due to amusing twists, never ends as one expects. It's interesting to see how the interaction of characters cause and negate problems between them.Basically it's Christmas in New York and a rather unlucky actor owes ("Fatty") a fat bartender (and illegal bookie) money. The out of work actor decides to tell everyone he needs the money for his girlfriend's abortion. She, in turn, is the sister of another bartender who is known for selflessly lending everyone money. Hearing his sister is pregnant he goes off to call in a few debts. His pride and sympathy for others hamper his efforts. Some of the people involved in the plot appear to be somewhat unscrupulous, but thanks to the domineering and honest counterparts in their lives, they shrink to conform to the imposed morals.Throughout the movie there is the threat that things could go horribly wrong at any time... but ingenious twists in the plot constantly surprise the viewer, neutralizing the threat and this is done rather ingeniously.True, much of what goes on in between is totally TRIVIAL. I believe that is partly why this movie may get bad reviews, but the story is well tied up with unexpected twists... but it's HOW they get tied up that is mildly amusing. Not hilarious, but mildly amusing.There are, however, a few pointless lengthy scenes, for example where the bartender meets up with old friends comparing wine around a table. This they could have cut, or used the time better to include other stories.4/10 for interesting, unexpected and "different" plot twists.

In this anemic comedy of errors, the complications are predictable, and the characters neither endearing nor genuinely eccentric. All in all, an uninspired barroom trifle with fewer laughs than "The Iceman Cometh'.

I kind of liked this flic'. It's one of those movies that you catch whilst flicking through the movie channels and you see and actor you like and say, I'll give this a chance.This is a movie that involves lies, gambling debt, abortion, gunpoint muggings and heartbreak, but not at one point will you become exited, mainly because the film is flat. Every shot is one dimensional and maybe the writer, who is also the director should stick to just writing.I am sure that this is a really good screenplay to read because I enjoyed the dialogue very much. I would also think that this is the reason that there was such a well known cast. It would have made a great piece for radio. Out of ten I would have to go with a five.

Hi-life is a complicated tale of friends and acquaintances trying to outwit and bamboozle each other over a gambling debt only a few are privy to. Each of the finely scripted characters gets drawn into the conspiracy for their own reasons, being deceived by the previous conspirator yet remaining unaware of the others. Taking place one evening in a nondescript New York neighborhood, it's the tale of ordinary people living mundane lives complicated by love, hate, ego, and chicanery, yet each are a charming mixture of goodness and banality much like every one of us. The complicated plot comes together at closing time in the Hi-Life Bar where all the characters meet and their deceptions are revealed. The script is witty, the acting is first rate, and one hates to see the story end.