Review: Are You Here

Setting Matthew Weiner's exemplary work on Mad Men aside, his feature film debut Are You Here is still a first-rate disappointment.

Ostensibly the film is about Steve and Ben (Owen Wilson and Zach Galifianakis), lifelong friends whose Peter Pan mentalities are called into question when they return to Ben's childhood home after learning of his father's death. Ben's sister (Amy Poehler), her nature curdled with bitterness, calls his faculties into question when their father leaves him the majority of the estate. Their widowed stepmother Angela (Laura Ramsey) questions Steve's womanising ways and stoned existence - "I try to avoid things that keep me from feeling," she says when he offers her a bong.

Theoretically, Weiner uses the film to ponder several ideas: the meaning of friendship ("It's a lot rarer than love because there's nothing in it for anybody."), the near impossibility of being in the moment (hence the title), being true to your own nature versus conditioning yourself to live within the confines of society (Ben's bipolar disorder can be tempered with medication, but is it better for him or for other people?), realising that life is a minefield but you're not alone in the world.

That's a lot to cram into one film - the problem is Weiner's story and characters don't support those ambitions. Add to that the film's shaky tone - is it a comedy, a drama, a stoner buddy movie, Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure as written by Chekhov or Beckett? Who knows?

This uncertainty extends to the performers as well. Wilson phones in his shaggy dog schtick - whether this is due to limitations in Weiner's screenplay or direction or simply Wilson's own ability is a mystery not worth solving. Ramsey barely registers either as a free spirit or a madonna of wisdom. Poehler barely rises above the one-dimensionality of her character.

Galifianakis hits some lovely notes of melancholy. His scene with his therapist and the final three minutes of the film are the only ones worth salvaging; one wishes Weiner had simply lavished his attention on Ben's character instead of populating Are You Here with such cardboard characters. Weiner started this screenplay during his time on The Sopranos; this may be a prime example of killing your darlings and starting anew.

Are You Here

Directed by: Matthew Weiner

Written by: Matthew Weiner

Starring: Owen Wilson, Zach Galifianakis, Amy Poehler, Laura Ramsey