Friendly Review : Manodrome

It seems like the movie didn’t quite live up to your expectations, right? 🤔 But hey, don’t worry, I can help you make it better and friendlier! Let’s give it a shot:

“This story follows a guy who’s feeling insecure and mentally stressed. He joins a group of men to bond and regain his strength and confidence. Now, I know it may sound exciting or thrilling, but hold on a sec, because this movie takes a different approach. It’s more of a slow-burning character portrait, meant for those who appreciate arthouse films. So, if you’re an action movie fan, you might have been expecting something else, like Fight Club or Taxi Driver.

Now, here’s the thing: Jesse Eisenberg, who happens to be one of my favorite actors too, doesn’t quite convince me with his performance as someone struggling with severe mental issues. He still comes across as a harmless nerd, rather than a deeply suppressed and potentially violent character. And that’s where the story’s core transformation loses its impact.

And let’s not forget about the credibility issues in the story. Out of nowhere, there’s this group of men who start supporting Jesse Eisenberg’s character, like a loving father to a long-lost son. It’s a bit hard to believe, right? Plus, some of the supporting actors’ performances left a lot to be desired, which can be quite irritating. And Adrien Brody’s portrayal of a mumbling guru of a man club? Well, let’s just say it didn’t quite hit the mark.

If you’re in the mood for a mind-bending movie about a lone soul slowly losing his mind and seeking some sort of “cure” through violence, you might want to check out Taxi Driver (1976) with Robert De Niro instead. It’s a classic that tackles similar themes and does it brilliantly. Manodrome, on the other hand, falls a bit short and doesn’t quite capture the essence of that all-time great American movie.