Bill (2007)

User Rating:

6.6/10   

Directors:

Bernie Goldmann
Melisa Wallack

Writer (WGA):

Melisa Wallack (written by)

Release Date:

18 June 2008 (Iceland)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

A comedy about someone you know.

Plot:

A guy fed up with his job and married to a cheating wife reluctantly mentors a rebellious teen.

Plot Keywords:

Donuts | Mentor | Candy | Affair | School

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Aaron Eckhart	...	Bill
Jessica Alba	...	Lucy
Elizabeth Banks	...	Jess
Logan Lerman	...	The Kid
Holmes Osborne	...	Mr. Jacoby
Todd Louiso	...	John Jr.
Timothy Olyphant	...	Chip
Reed Diamond	...	Paul
Kristen Wiig	...	Jane Whittman
Jason Sudeikis	...	Jim Whittman
Andy Zou	...	Donald Choo
Ana Lucasey	...	Sarah Sheldon
Constance Barron	...	Mrs. Jacoby
Conor O'Farrell	...	Principal
Julia Pace Mitchell	...	Dana

Also Known As:

Meet Bill (USA) (new title)

MPAA:

Rated R for language, some drug use and sex-related material.

Runtime:

93 min

Country:

USA

Language:

Spanish | English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Canada:14A | USA:R | Finland:K-13 | Singapore:NC-16 | Japan:R-15 | Germany:12 | Australia:M | Netherlands:9

Filming Locations:

St. Albans, Missouri, USA

Company:

GreeneStreet Films

Trivia:

In the movie Bill's father in law's character is named John Jacobi. Jan Jacobi is the head of the MICDS middle school, where many of the Tate Academy scenes were shot.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Jess is at the hospital with Bill, her hair changes from being draped over her right ear to being tucked behind her ear and back again repeatedly between shots.

Quotes:

Bill: Paul, could you not be a fag for half a second?!
Paul: I'll try...little acorn.

Movie Connections:

References Super Fly (1972)

Soundtrack:

A Night in Vegas

Eckhart's fabulous comic performance nearly saves strident send-up of human principles...

Whoever could have guessed that suave, manicured, handsome-devil Aaron Eckhart would become our next great sad-sack comedian? The rubber-face which Eckhart uses here, playing a disgruntled, disappointed, directionless human resources exec at his father-in-law's bank, is nothing short of remarkable. Cast as middle-aged Bill, Eckhart is extremely courageous and focused--too focused to become a ham, yet silly and flexible enough to keep this bumpy comedy buoyant and entertaining. The tone of the picture is half-black comedy/half-upper class satire, with possibly too many targets and characters on its plate. Still, the women in Bill's life (Elizabeth Banks as his cheating spouse and Jessica Alba as a friendly neighborhood salesgirl) each have their strong moments, and Eckhart's scenes with his gay brother and assorted in-laws are pungent and ripe with nearly-realized stinging possibilities. What doesn't quite work is the sub-plot with a mouthy teenager choosing Bill to be his "mentor" (also, a duck-hunting sequence with Bill's wife's family is also flabby, its only purpose demonstrating their need to humiliate Bill--and he being oblivious). The filmmakers are careful to let Bill be his own person--he's often a target, but rarely is he victimized. It's to Eckhart's credit that this stepped-on character remains likable and respectable (no pathos or pity here, and none are necessary). Whether entertaining guests in his camping tent or getting his weary body back into shape, Bill is lurching, funny, struggling, and very human. I didn't quite buy the happy ending, with its vitriolic "I don't where I'm going, but I'm excited" sentiments, but Aaron Eckhart makes this guy a joy--and for a knockabout, second-string comedy, that's a real achievement. **1/2 from ****