Good story, Not enough for a whole film

Better Late Then Never

This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

Matt is a record executive about to lose his job. He receives the visit of smart*ss Zooey, his estranged father PA. Turns out, dad Benjamin is a world famous photographer and also about to die of cancer.Benjamin is your standard cantankerous old man, not even cancer can redeem. Matt is resentful because dad wasted too much time travelling and taking photos, rather then being a good dad at homeObviously, Matt proclaims he is not interested in meeting dad, but we know the two will eventually meet ... and what better that throwing in a road trip for the occasion?The road trip involves delivering rolls of unprocessed Kodachrome film before they stop developing them for good. Seeing which photos are so precious for Benjamin is supposed to be the big surprise at the end of the movie, although anybody with minimal experience can see the "surprise' coming from a mile away.And there lies the biggest weakness of the movie: we never get to see the photographic masterpieces Benjamin was famous for (Was he a war photographer? Travel landscape? Social commentary? Fashion?) but we're supposed to get very emotional when we discover what his most precious photos were about...PS and expect the usual nasty repartees between characters, only to end predictably with love and affection

Films with excessive sentimentality, contrived narrative, and shallow acting are often labelled melodramatic, a term usually reserved for women's film Such descriptors, however, are equally relevant to men's films and Kodachrome (2018)is a case in point.It's a simple plot: a dying father wants his estranged son to take him across America to the last lab that can develop a few long-lost rolls of Kodachrome film. The son is Matt Ryder (Jason Sudeikis), a music recording executive whose career is on the brink. He is angered by the sudden appearance of his father's carer, Zooey Kern (Elizabeth Olsen) who acts as his messenger. His dad Ben (Ed Harris) is an old school alpha-male, a famous photographer, and chronically obnoxious. Matt is bribed into the trip and the journey is predictably unpleasant for all three. Despite its potential as an interesting road trip or a late-life coming of age story, the film struggles on several levels. To even care about the travelling threesome, we need to like or have empathy with the characters but there is nothing that encourages this. Matt is a shallow self-interested wheeler-dealer; Ben is callously uncaring; and Zooey is unconvincing in her commitment to either man.One scene stands out both for its lame attempt to find humour where there is none. The three are hurtling along in a convertible under GPS voice guidance, when Ben gets nostalgic for old-fashion maps. After asking for Matt's phone, he throws it out of the car and grins; so does Zooey, while Matt looks piqued. And this is a highlight scene worth including in the trailer!Some viewers may be drawn to Kodachromeout of interest in the history of photography and the once-iconic Kodak brand. A photographer and a music producer on a road trip could have dwelled on the passing of an era and the onset of the digital age where few images are printed or albums built. There is little serious content in this predictable over-contrived story of guilt, redemption, and a finger-wagging reminder that our lives mean nothing if we do not leave behind loving memories in those who follow.Some filmmakers seem to believe that if human failings can be exaggerated sufficiently it will turn into comedy. This sometimes works, but not here; nor does the film work as drama. Kodachrome falls somewhere between several genres into a space that feels like male melodrama.

It's hard to find good dialogue and good acting anymore. This film had both. Ed Harris is always compelling, young Elisabeth Olsen is perfect for this role. Loved her character in Wind River also. Jason Sudeikis is funny, as always, but really played the dramatic scenes well I thought. Good "date night" kinda movie. I guess I enjoyed it more than most because of SO many parallels in my life......BUT ISN'T THAT WHAT WE ALL WANT TO SEE ?? Many great life messages here. Big 2 thumbs up. Millennials will most likely HATE this kind of film because it doesn't have the edgy JUNO vibe but I would highly recommend this to anyone over 40. Best movie I've seen since Gran Torino. Cheers.

The lead actor, known for his comedy, carried this film. We've seen Ed Harris before as the edgy, aging cynic with a heart, and Elizabeth Olsen as the earnest intellectual love interest. But this was the first time most of us have seen Sudeikis in this type of role, and he was terrific.His character's world was falling apart, but he never lost his sense of perspective. He showed genuine appreciation for his aunt and uncle, acquired tolerance for his dad's flaws, and had the ability to notice the girl's true value. Meanwhile the Harris character had enough sense and compassion to devote his final days to his estranged son. Not an easy thing to do for a self-absorbed brat. Both characters grew.Olsen has found a niche for herself as the almost hot, intellectual, potential companion to complicated men. I liked the concept of integrating commentary on traditional photography and analog culture.Yes the plot was fairly predictable and there were no great statements about life that made a lasting impact. Other than that great art comes from unhappiness, but we've heard that one before, and it's not always true. I never even considered pressing the stop button. That's remarkable for me with Netflix. Enjoy.