Winter Passing

Winter Passing (2005)
Director: Adam Rapp

Reese hasn't talked to her dad for years. Her mom killed herself several months ago. Both her parents were famous writers a long time ago so I suppose it isn't that surprising when a publicist comes and offers her $100,000 for the letters her mother and father wrote to each other when they were courting.

I love quirky characters. This movie is full of them. Corbit (Will Ferrell) is a Christian guitarist who was recently kicked out of a band called "Punching Pilate". He plays the guitar and sings, but can't do both at the same time. He hits golf balls indoors with his friend, the famous writer, Don Holden (Ed Harris). Holden lives in the garage but keeps most of the furniture from the house in the back yard. Shelly (Amelia Warner) it seems does the cooking and laundry. They all three live in a house filled to the brim with books. Reese (Zooey Deschanel) is an aspiring actress who has a drug problem, and kills her kitten because it is diagnosed with leukemia.

I really like Zooey Deschanel. This is the second movie she has been in with Will Ferrell (Elf was the first). She’s a good actress. She plays both the emotion and the lack of emotion with equal skill. She has a way of talking that makes her always sound drunk, but she has a very cute and approachable girl-next-door look to her.

I don't know why Ed Harris took this role. It isn't a very meaty part. He did a good job, but it is just a small role I am surprised he was interested in. It’s reminiscent of his role as Jackson Pollack, but it’s just...much smaller and shabbier.

Will Ferrell is very good in a semi-serious role. I always thought that the best comedic actors could also be the best dramatic actors (Robin Williams, Jim Carrey etc.)

This is a cold, sad story. It reminds me a bit of Garden State. It was written by a playwright and it shows. It isn't bad it’s just...stagy. But it is enjoyable; if you have an extra hour and a half some night it might just be worth a look.

My Rating: 3 out of 5