Brad's Status
Annapurna Pictures | Release Date: September 15, 2017
6.5
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 55 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
37
Mixed:
11
Negative:
7
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4
TVJerrySep 25, 2017
Ben Stiller takes his son on a college campus visit, but spends most of the time ruminating about his own lack of success. In constant voiceover and some flights of fantasy, he compares himself to his college buds, all of whom seem to haveBen Stiller takes his son on a college campus visit, but spends most of the time ruminating about his own lack of success. In constant voiceover and some flights of fantasy, he compares himself to his college buds, all of whom seem to have flourishing lives and careers. Stiller takes this opportunity to go dramatic, but his character's steady whining makes him hard to like. Austin Abrams plays the prodigy progeny with a much cooler attitude. Writer/director Mike White (who also has a cameo as the married gay director) has penned a script that's not especially eloquent and definitely self-absorbed (on behalf of the lead character and the writer). He has managed to capture a few moments of genuine feeling, but the impact is diluted by the overwhelming over-indulgence of tedious contemplation.… Expand
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5
virginiaproudJan 15, 2018
Ben Stiller does a fine job here as Brad, wallowing in status envy as he considers the perceived success of his fellow graduates. It's a very watchable flick but honestly, it's not that profound, your basic grass is greener situation. BradBen Stiller does a fine job here as Brad, wallowing in status envy as he considers the perceived success of his fellow graduates. It's a very watchable flick but honestly, it's not that profound, your basic grass is greener situation. Brad isn't facing any challenge or conflict except his own negative self evaluation, and the sum of the action is that over the time frame of a college visit with his son to Boston, we get to watch him beat himself up while still successfully pulling strings to get his son into Harvard. One of the characters comments that everything he's describing can be summed up as privileged white male problems. I felt this was meant to be a 'deep moment'. It wasn't.… Expand
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4
cranehowNov 23, 2018
If you'e into unalloyed narcissism and self-pity, this is the one for you. One saving grace: the young actor playing Brad's son is almost worth the price of admission.
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4
DawdlingPoetNov 28, 2021
This is pretty typical Ben Stiller fare. Although its categorised as a comedy, it certainly isn't an obviously laugh out loud funny type of a film, so I'd question labelling it a comedy. However, there are a few moments which I suppose madeThis is pretty typical Ben Stiller fare. Although its categorised as a comedy, it certainly isn't an obviously laugh out loud funny type of a film, so I'd question labelling it a comedy. However, there are a few moments which I suppose made me smirk a bit. Its another sort of life reflective, somewhat philosophical (without being too deep), not quite maudlin but not entirely far away from that either. The main character, Brad, is someone the viewer is clearly meant to feel sorry for but I wasn't especially convinced by the performance Stiller gave. However, nonetheless it was a pretty easy watch and I suppose I imagine others would enjoy it more than I did. I didn't think it was entirely memorable as such but others may disagree - perhaps its more aimed at parents of adolescents soon set to leave home, as the plot is mostly about Brads son looking to go to college.

I thought Jenna Fischer and Michael Sheen gave alright performances but otherwise, there isn't much to say about it, although I did find the instrumental music played in the background quite distracting and irritating at times. There is plot development but it felt painfully slow to me.

I wouldn't especially recommend it as such, no.… Expand
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6
geewahJan 7, 2021
Not bad, not great. A coming of age movie for both father and son that suffers a bit from being self indulgent.
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