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List Price: $19.95 | | Label: Ifc
Salesrank: 32193
Released: August 29, 2006 |
| Our Price: $4.78 |
| Used Price: $1.01 |
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MPAA Rating: R (Restricted)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
Nearing the age of 30 with no real accomplishments to show for his years, Jim (Casey Affleck) humbly returns to his small town and moves back in with his eccentric parents (Mary Kay Place and Seymour Cassell) and brother (Kevin Corrigan). As he tries to guide his family through the little dramas of everyday life, Jim stumbles into a romance with a kind, optimistic nurse (Liv Tyler). Directed by Steve Buscemi, Lonesome Jim is a wise, smart comedy about the courage it takes to accept the past, and to embrace the future.
Lonesome Jim Reviews:
Girlfriend in a coma 
2009-11-26 - I'll probably watch most anything with Kevin Corrigan in it, just because I have a middle school crush on the guy that makes me want to give him a big hug any time I see him. And, as usual, he was largely ignored in this film--but that's also his quite genius gimmick.
I don't usually get romantic comedies, and this wasn't much of an exception. At times, though, some undercurrents of sarcasm abraded the small-town saunter that composes the 'mother's little helper' of the foreground narrative. Just a tiny wink and nod, but enough to throw a bone or two to whichever poor sods might get dragged to this movie on an otherwise beautiful day outside with blue skies and junk.
Miserable Script! A Complete Waste Of Time! 
2009-08-19 - Liv Tyler was the only good thing in this depressing, pointless movie. It is not - repeat NOT! - a comedy. The worst thing about this movie is Casey Affleck. He simply had no clue how to make viewer root for his character (which might have saved the movie). I cried for Liv Tyler at the end of this piece of dreck since she ends up with this "nothing" played by Affleck. Director Steve Buscermi does not understand that an audience should have something or someone to care about. The alledged "action" in this flick just meanders around appathetically - moment after boring moment - until it stops with a thud. The main character (Affleck) comes home with no idea of what he wants to do with his life except that, for the immediate future, he will sponge off his parents. At the conclusion he still has no idea of what to do with his life, but he accepts responsibility for his girlfriend (Tyler) and her little boy. Somehow (and this is the comic part), she seems happy to be linked up with this loser. Go figure.
These actors are all capable of good performances but with this script and a director with little-to-no insight, no one had a chance to show talent. Tyler chose a low-key mode; the only thing in the movie that worked.
hopelssness as comedy?
2009-03-30 - Liv Tyler is the real highlight of this film ( the reason I didn't give it two stars). The script is as hopeless as most of the acting.
I wouldn't show it to prison inmates without taking their belts and shoe laces from them. The star is just a pretty nice guy who seems to have very little going for him in brains or guts.
Great piece of downbeat 
2009-01-29 - Not for the depressed, this downbeat comedy is a delight throughout. Steve Buscemi really gets these characters, living out the ennui of suburbia, the desperation quiet but barely contained. Liv Tyler is perfect as the optimistic single mom. Casey Affleck does a great job. The soundtrack is ideal. This is a real sleeper, but well worth watching.
Casey Affleck: no longer at the kiddies' table on Thanskgiving. 
2008-07-01 - Stay with me here. It's Thanksgiving afternoon. Momma Affleck has just brought out the turkey. Ben is sitting to the right of ole Papa Affleck and they're talking 'Good Will Hunting' Oscar winnings, Jennifer Garner, and all-things Matt Damon. Down at the end of the table sits one Casey Affleck at the kid's table, eyes tearing up and burning with jealous rage. For years, this has been the case for the Affleck family, Casey at the kid's table while Ben talks about his most recent big-screen successes. Once, Casey was asked about his movie career, to which he replied, "Well, I made this film called Gerry that was pretty...." only to find his father interrupting him at this point as he asked Ben, "So what about this new film you and Morgan Freeman are making?"
Then, like a gift from the movie gods, came Lonesome Jim, a bizarre, loveable dark comedy in which our boy Casey Affleck could finally sink his ready teeth.
Lonesome Jim is a poor man's comedy, the type of film which can really only be appreciated by the Casey Affleck's of the universe, to which I readily admit I am one. In this world, underdog comedy is not only appreciated, but joyously celebrated. Jim, played by Casey, is a guy not unlike us. He has tried his hand at life, failed miserably at it, and returns in bitter defeat to his parent's basement. Here, he finds a guilt-tripping father who wants to run his life and a mother who is all-too happy to cut Jim's meet for him or let him borrow the family van. When it comes to women, Jim misses all the signals and often is left out thinking with over-analytical questions like, "Was she coming onto me?" as the girl, in the meantime, leaves it disgust when her advances are not reciprocated.
This is the world of Lonesome Jim. If you're reading this, this is the world of you. Since I'm writing it, I already know it's the world of me. If you are at peace with that, you will likely love this film, as you will no-doubt see elements of your own fatigued attempts at success and nonchalant approach to life embodied in the role of Lonesome Jim.
So for that, I thank you Mr. Casey Affleck. You sit at the kiddies' table no more, my friend.
