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7

NightReviewsFeb 3, 2016

One of the most fascinating and wholly satisfying moments of Hollywood cinema is being present during that moment when a prominent and famous comedy actor transitions from their comfortable, recognizable and iconic genre to that of a raw andOne of the most fascinating and wholly satisfying moments of Hollywood cinema is being present during that moment when a prominent and famous comedy actor transitions from their comfortable, recognizable and iconic genre to that of a raw and unglamorous dramatic role. Luckily for us, such is the case for the quick witted, dirtied tongue comedy actress Sarah Silverman, in her latest film I Smile Back.

Silverman, who completely transforms her usual charm and infamous devilish smile in favour of Laney Brooks, is revelatory as a woman who suffers from a chemical imbalance and deep rooted physiological issues that greatly affect the people she loves most around her.

The self-destructive archetype is not uncommon in the American indie film scene, yet, Silverman brings a new high to a character relishing in the ultimate lows.

Supported by her loving insurance selling husband Bruce Brooks (Josh Charles) and her adorable children Eli (Skylar Gaetner) and Janey (Shayne Coleman), Laney is a ticking time bomb of insecurity, trouble and instability. Regardless of their efforts to induct Laney into rehabilitation for her drug use, her obvious daddy issues and secret double life as a violent, punishment seeking nymphomaniac, Laney tries over and over again to fit in without much success.

I Smile Back, a novel by Amy Koppelman, written for the screen by Koppelman and Paige Dylan, is the ultimate Silverman shedding her comedy skin drama vehicle. Every aspect of the film is held together, driven forward and rewarded by the strong performance of Silverman. Whether she’s on the floor tripping out, cutting the crusts off her children’s peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, or finding solace in a wellness centre, Silverman’s role unabashedly demands our attention. Silverman’s performance is a big smile and hit in the right direction for a comedy actress no one ever took seriously before.

The film itself, directed by Adam Salky, has its glimmers of interesting commentaries that are mostly left unexplored and empty. The possibility of Laney’s medical imbalance being passed on to her eldest son is one of the few directions that the film takes that the audience is surely interested in. Eli, who begins to show very similar character traits, including flinching eyes, and some signs during a piano recital, are thwarted by Laney’s passion to failure. Not that we are complaining, but I Smile Back is one example of a film where its run-time could have extended a bit longer to blossom these narrative possibilities.

I Smile Back is a daunting character piece on just how much someone is willing (or able) to screw up every aspect of their lives, despite having the most amazing and supportive people around them. Salky, who balances many engrossing images of filth and despicable behaviour by Laney, does a masterful job of juxtaposing beautiful scenes of family when Laney seems to be rehabilitated, including a fantastic family scene involving a cake and some candles.

While the light reminds on, its dim and dark presence seems to overshadow the film as a whole from beginning to end. I Smile Back is a film that allows audiences to face their own personal terrors and allowing yourself to get what you want from them. The feature is a personal reflection of the things we want to see in ourselves, and the disgusting character traits we can help but ignore.

Lacey’s character goes through the crossroads, literally and figuratively, in calmness and in a frenzy. Like a whirlwind, Silverman is a tycoon of raw and fleshy emotion that isn’t usually expected for a comedienne’s first time dramatic role.

With an impressive supporting cast that includes The Newsroom’s Thomas Sadoski, Terry Kinney as a very real and impressive therapist who delivers some of the best and most quote worthy lines of the film, I Smile Back is a film worth smiling for, despite its heavy handed and opaque exterior. Sadly, Charles is highly underutilized as Laney’s husband and never given his due time. Instead, Charles is just left giving his best impression of Keanu Reeves and serves as a dull supporting character to the vivaciously catastrophic Laney.

Beauty is a hard theme to find in I Smile Back, yet, as Laney’s therapist reassures her in her early stages of her recovery, “Every moment of beauty fades…but, there’s more and more and more of those moments. You just need to be alive to see them”. Dark, depressing and sickened by sadness, I Smile Back may break your heart, but Silverman’s performance will have you smiling back from ear to ear in utter satisfaction.… Expand

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7

NickLikesMoviesNov 14, 2015

Sarah Silverman gives a phenomenal performance and the film itself tells a harsh, brutally honest story about addiction and depression. It does fall into some cliches and as a whole, it's pretty predictable, until the very end. I suggest youSarah Silverman gives a phenomenal performance and the film itself tells a harsh, brutally honest story about addiction and depression. It does fall into some cliches and as a whole, it's pretty predictable, until the very end. I suggest you find "I Smile Back" this weekend and give it a watch.… Expand

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6

annbdMar 20, 2019

Mental Illness in its beauty. If you are interested in that matter or want to feel better about yourself - go for it. The movie is really hard to watch. Like someone in the reviews described it as 'brutal'. It is, because of the capturedMental Illness in its beauty. If you are interested in that matter or want to feel better about yourself - go for it. The movie is really hard to watch. Like someone in the reviews described it as 'brutal'. It is, because of the captured helplessness of people who had a problem with living and staying alive every day, and in that sense - are also crazy. I cried from the beginning to the end, so I guess it's not a popcorn movie or netflix and chill.… Expand

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5

bfoore90Oct 1, 2016

A brutally honest take on mental illness and addiction, Sarah Silverman delivers on a knockout performance. Unfortunately, Silverman's performance couldn't save this movie from a script lacking depth. I felt it was as if the audience neverA brutally honest take on mental illness and addiction, Sarah Silverman delivers on a knockout performance. Unfortunately, Silverman's performance couldn't save this movie from a script lacking depth. I felt it was as if the audience never gets a full look into the respective iminds the Brooks family, though we feel like we do because of some devoted performances from its leads. We see Laney struggle with the past and the present, we see some hints of insight in an otherwise weak plotline but it stops there. If you see this movie, see it for Sarah Silverman's damn near Knockout portrayal but if you're looking for something other than that is remotely redeeming, you may want to pass on this film.… Expand

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5

Sidd_Movie_BuffOct 26, 2015

I Smile Back is directed Adam Salky and is written by Piage Dylan. It stars Sarah Silverman, Josh Charles, Shayne Coleman,and Skyler Gaertner.

Laney Brooks(Sarah Silverman) does bad things. Married with kids, she takes the drugs she wants,I Smile Back is directed Adam Salky and is written by Piage Dylan. It stars Sarah Silverman, Josh Charles, Shayne Coleman,and Skyler Gaertner.

Laney Brooks(Sarah Silverman) does bad things. Married with kids, she takes the drugs she wants, sleeps with the men she wants, disappears when she wants. Now, with the destruction of her family looming, and temptation everywhere, Laney makes one last desperate attempt at redemption.

This movie leaves you sore and rather agitated. Partly because that's the point of the movie and partly, just partly, because we didn't ever really care enough to keep watching to the end.

This was not the case with me. I soldiered through till the very, predictable end for a few reasons. Well really one reason actually now that I think about it. But that one reason makes a definite snooze fest into a spectacle to see.

I am of course referring to none other than Sarah Silverman. 2015 has been a year which yielded many surprises in breaking type cast, but Sarah Silverman's transformation into Laney, a narcissistic home wrecker, might be the most surprising. I usually don't have too much doubt when it comes to Best Actresses so it pains me to say this, Sarah isn't going to win. Though she is the best female performer of the year, its unlikely that the Oscars would give any awards to an actors first type cast break. With that being said, she was revoltingly engaging to watch, casting a disgusting yet thought provoking shadow of an average American housewife's misdeeds. It was painful to watch at times but is ultimately rewarding on a character level. More than able to inject a few snips of humor to lighten the dreary mood, Silverman shines!

In terms of the other actors Josh Charles plays a sympathetic lead but I would prefer him in a courtroom. The kids were very good and churned out some great performances. Basically the Brooks family is brilliant and the rest of the cast pails in comparison. Shame but not entirely their fault.

The writer is to blame for most of this movie. Paige Dylan's intentions, though noble, are rather misguided. She mistakes tears and bad deeds for character development. Though this works to some extent, offering hints of insight, the audience never gets a full perspective into the minds of Laney and the Brooks family, though we feel like we do because of some devoted performances from its leads. Another aspect that I didn't enjoy much was the sheer predictability of the whole ordeal coupled with the poor direction makes this movie a Plodding and Uninteresting mess on a behind the scenes level.

I Smile Back is amiable, albeit shallow, fair with a standout performance by Silverman. it gets a C+ or a 5/10.… Expand

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6

smiyamotFeb 26, 2016

A film about a person with mental problems. We see her past, made her problems worse, we see her present, she doesn't seem to want to get better. Oh well. The movie story line is very hard to sit and watch. There are so many poor people,A film about a person with mental problems. We see her past, made her problems worse, we see her present, she doesn't seem to want to get better. Oh well. The movie story line is very hard to sit and watch. There are so many poor people, homeless people, who need help but can't afford it. She can and just blows it off. So why did the producers make this movie? What is it telling me? Let's feel sorry for the 1%? I don't think so.… Expand

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6

StevieGJDNov 6, 2015

Sarah Silverman does a very good job in this film. Her character is in pretty much every scene and she credibly portrays a woman battling mental illness, substance abuse and promiscuity issues. The script is the real problem here. While itSarah Silverman does a very good job in this film. Her character is in pretty much every scene and she credibly portrays a woman battling mental illness, substance abuse and promiscuity issues. The script is the real problem here. While it covers ground, it does not do so in any way that is novel. The complaints from people about how awful or terrible the content is are both pollyannish and naive. There are people who have these issues. They exist. They are not evil. They are broken. Nobody could have done better in this part. I may be biased because I love Sarah Silverman as a comic. But that does not make it a good movie. Because it is simply an ok movie with a very good performance.… Expand