So much average

As Good As It Gets

Simple and well acted, it has tension enough to knot the stomach.

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

The filmmakers here tried something and failed. It was a noble attempt at something very delicate and I suspect that they will eventually succeed at capturing this balance somehow. Commentors here call it black humor, but there is something more dear here in the children's reach. It isn't Lemony Snicket. Its "The Ice Storm."Failure or not, they did something well. Sarah Polley is an amazing young actress who can do what I call folded acting: where she observes her character and conveys the observation. This allows her to play special roles. Here she is in the story as our surrogate who watches. She can't save the story, but she does her job.Ted's Evaluation -- 2 of 3: Has some interesting elements.

If you're tired of all the dime-a-dozen American and Canadian dramas recently produced about shattering the false image of the "normal," happy suburban family like 'Imaginary Heroes,' 'The Ice Storm,' or 'American Beauty,' you might switch to a dark comedy perspective. Canadian production, 'Siblings' is a drastically bitter, cynical look at the "perfect" family.Four step-siblings (perhaps not coincidentally modeling the cast of 'Flowers in the Attic,' minus the blonde mops) are left in the care of their vicious step-parents following the death of their grandfather. Joe (Alex Campbell) is the optimistic, hopeful that the children would rid themselves of these unusually abusive guardians once they all turn eighteen (the two youngest have a long way to go). His step-sister, Margaret (Sarah Gadon), a promiscuous realist, on the other hand, suggests they had just better kill their parents. Luckily, it all happens somewhat accidentally, although the four step-siblings, even in their small town with relatively few people poking into their business on such constant occasion (except for the neighborhood snoop, a mousy character played by Sarah Polley), it might seem easy to do.Unfortunately, a series of mistakes just brings more trouble. But not in really any particularly amusing way. And unfortunately, the progression of the movie, while it has some particularly interesting character studies, offers few real laughs (except from big-eye step-sibling, Danielle) and tends to take longer than necessary to reach its conclusions. I did like, however, that once the parents were out of the picture, the older siblings began to take on their characteristics (although only temporarily, later made poignantly conscious of this by Margaret). For a movie like this, however, I would have to agree with another viewer who wrote that, it would've helped to have offered a lot more humor, especially where offering lots of sardonic sarcasm and irony later in the film.

Overall it's a decent movie. Some scenes are more hilarious, and others just disturbing. Alcholism, pedophile/ molesting, murder and a new twist of the girl next door leave a strange taste in the mouth, although not unpleasant. It's an interesting spin on the "canadian" style movie, and although I watched it at one A.M, I did laugh at the awkward scenes, and laughed harder at the "confused" son, and giggled whenever the older boy had to interact with anyone in the move. I suggest when the girl goes to see the bodies to close your eyes so you do not see some of the disturbing moments, aka throw-up. And next time you think about complaining about your parents, it could be worse. You could have these ones. Would I see this movie again? Yes, and I might even buy it.

I saw this movie last night just cause I randomly saw it at the movie rental place. I started watching it and I was a little bored during the first few minutes then it started to get into the plot. I just had this totally weird love for the movie I usually like either happy chick flicks or funny comedies or action movies, but for some reason I couldn't not love this movie. I watched it again about an hour later with my older sister, now I'm obsessed with it. I love the characters and the plot (although very weird) has me completely drawn to it. I seriously would recommend it to people who just need something to pass the time, I think they'll be pleasantly surprised!