“DESPICABLE” NOT DESPICABLE IN HEART
MovieBeat review from 7/19 radio broadcast
We’ve been seeing commercials since last summer – trailers depicting an unusual man freeze framing harmless customers at a coffee café as he gets his morning coffee.
The film, “Despicable Me,” was shown in trailers as a hilarious animated comedy filled with jokes and gags parents and children would love. It had several recognizable names in comedy created the lovable characters and state-of-the art computer graphics.
Yet what trailers failed to show was that “Despicable Me” overflows with heart and meaningful lessons in love and life.
“Despicable” tells the story of Gru (Steve Carell), the most cunning, meticulous, egotistical villain/thief in the world – yet no one knows about him. His biggest steal was the Times Square JumboTron from New York City.
News soon travels that someone has stolen the Pyramids of Gaza and Gru is on a mission to find who is trying to one up him in the thief department.
His plans to stop his new arch-nemesis, and steal the moon, are soon hampered by the innocent efforts of three little girls.
“Despicable” fell into the same trap as several comedies (both animated and live-action) where the best jokes are those shown on television. The film doesn’t even really get the laughs until the girls enter the picture.
What trailers don’t show is the heartfelt storyline of how love can enter into anyone’s life, no matter how cold-hearted or selfish they may be.
Parents can teach a lot to their children about Gru’s relationship to the three girls as they both laugh at the sweet humor that is propelled by the characters.
Three and a half Heartbeats
Classic DVD Rental: “The Long, Hot Summer” – Real life couple, the late Paul Newman, and Joanne Woodward ignite the romance in this William Faulkner tale about love in the South. A timeless summer love story that is intertwined with family turmoil, life expectations and crimes of passion, enough to keep you steamy in the summer heat.
Four and a half Heartbeats
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