Bill (2007)

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:

Shower Scene | TV News | TV Reporter | Penis Joke | Donuts

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:

Canada:97 min (Toronto International Film Festival)

Country:

USA

Language:

Spanish | English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:R | Canada:14A

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.

Quotes:

The Kid: Have you ever just looked at all the cash?

Soundtrack:

Sweet Sweet Tango

Pretty Terrible

Meet Bill is a bad film. There is no way around it. Aaron Eckhart, who was amazing in Thank You For Smoking, seems to be attempting a Jim Carrey-style comedic performance, and it doesn't work at all. His performance as an obnoxious, petty, immature 40-something is unpleasant to watch. It is not entertaining or funny, just uncomfortable. The plot is pretty simple: Bill is working for his father-in-law at a very successful bank and is unhappy; his wife cheats on him, things fall apart.

The other characters seem to exist just to help Bill find out who he really is or something like that. Jessica Alba is one of these. She plays a cashier at a Victoria's Secret who befriends Bill and his young mentee. She doesn't really put any effort into her role, but I don't blame her because her character was wildly underdeveloped. She has no real motivation in the film- she's just there to help Bill regain his confidence. Young actor Logan Lerman plays Bill's mentee- a private school kid with a bottomless allowance, a disturbing infatuation with Alba's character, and an inexplicable desire to spend all of his time with Bill. Craig Bierko plays Bill's gay brother, who sits around trying to talk sense to him and does little else.

Elizabeth Banks is OK as Bill's wife, and it is perhaps the only redeeming quality of the film that she is not completely villainized. The only highlight if the film comes in the form if Kristen Wiig and Jason Sudeikis of the current SNL cast, who plays representatives of a donut franchise Bill is trying to get involved with.

The script is aimless, the dialog horrible, and the conclusion completely unsatisfying. I really wished I hadn't watched this movie by the time it ended.