Paint
Paintmay have its affection in the right place , but it ’s hard to discern on the nose what writer - director Brit McAdams designate with the film . It has something to say about the media ’s treatment of someone based on their age and profitableness , being replaced by someone vernal , and how go through the motions is at long last detrimental to the creative thinking of a painter . Unfortunately , Paintis tonally discrepant , neither sweet nor funny , and lack direction . It ’s less of an homage to Bob Ross than it is a muckle of a film that struggles to find its terms despite a stellar cast .
Paintfollows Carl Nargle ( Owen Wilson ) , an acclaimed painter who has had his own show on PBS for tenner . With a pipe in hand and a very tingle vibration , which can come across as cavalier to some , Carl paints from scratch every installment . After tenner of being on - air , Carl is replace byAmbrosia ( Ciara Renée ) , a young womanhood who the web desire will bring a invigorated perspective and pad diminish viewership . Carl must contend with the downfall of his career , conciliate with his x - girlfriend Katherine ( Michaela Watkins ) , who is also a producer on his show , and fancy out what come next after so long being well-off .
On paper , Paintseems charming , and there is indeed an endearing quality about the flick , but that does n’t render so well onscreen . It ’s tonally incertain , and it ’s hard to gauge what just the photographic film is seek to be . In some moment it plays out like a rom - com , and in others it is a dramedy dealing with an artist ’s fading significance and sense of self . The film is all over the plaza in terms of its story and rarely do the comedic beats land .
One can tell the moving picture is get for personal magnetism , but it falls short and ends up being cringeworthy or bizarre — sometimes both . The heartwarming momentsPaintbuilds towards are n’t gain ; it ’s a soulless endeavor that is lacking on nearly every front . The plastic film ’s off - kelter sense of humor would have worked better had McAdams leaned into it fully . As is , Paintcomes across as half - baked — a good idea lose amidst the topsy-turvyness . Considering the emulation of Bob Ross , the film does n’t act as an homage or a parody about male privilege in the art world .
The mould is watchable , but they ’re not given much to shape with . Owen Wilson is charming as Carl , whose own self - grandness blinds him to what ’s of import . The actor toe the job between comedic nonchalance and seriousness without going too far in either direction . Still , in a film that seems illogical about its own identity , it might have been worthwhile for Wilson to lean further into the ridiculousness , as McAdams should ’ve done . Watkins steals the show as Katherine , who also desire to move on but is tied to the local Vermont station because of her unsolved feel for Carl . Watkins is emotionally undefended , with big comedic timing , and her scene with Wilson are some of the more passable to watch . Renée is n’t given as much , but she impart Ambrosia ’s trepidation and legitimacy as she inscribe a hands that is n’t exactly stable .
Paintcould’ve been funny ; it could ’ve had more heart ; it could have even been more fun and ridiculous , with something interesting to say . But it ’s a mess from start to close . The humour does n’t work , and the material is too timid and vacuous to truly soar . To be sure , the movie has a message , but it ’s scramble , its story a WWW that ca n’t be untangled enough to bid something worthwhile . The film is unknown , but it ’s not in a good way . Any potency it had to be a seemly , entertaining , or even a heedful watch is lose .
Paintis now play in theaters . The film is 96 minute farseeing and is rated PG-13 for intimate / revelatory stuff , drug usance and smoke .
