I Smile Back

Broad Green Pictures | Release Date: October 23, 2015

6.8	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 36 Ratings

USER RATING DISTRIBUTION

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Watch Now

Stream On

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Review this movie

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Please sign in or create an account before writing a review.

Check box if your review contains spoilers

0 characters (5000 max)

User Reviews

User score By date Most helpful

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

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

All this user's reviews

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

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

All this user's reviews

LeZeeAug 17, 2016

How should an ideal mother behave when she's haunted by her bad past.

The film is about a small family of two little kids and their parents, but all the focus was on the mother who is a drug addict and struggling with mental illness, yetHow should an ideal mother behave when she's haunted by her bad past.

The film is about a small family of two little kids and their parents, but all the focus was on the mother who is a drug addict and struggling with mental illness, yet care a lot for her children. But how long this happy family stays that way is the film going to reveal in its entire narration.

Based on the book of the same name, half a million budget film, has a decent cast who have given their best for it. This is not a film you watch to enjoy, but a film about the families around us. This is a depiction of the real world story, like not all the families are happier as we see them from the outside. There are some secrets in them, which sets a bad example for their own children once they come to know the true nature of their parents. But some would decide to fight hard to make everything come back to the normal and some won't. That is where film derives, how it all ends makes this film unique from the other similar ones.

I think this film was decent with an important topic. Not everyone would end up happy with their watch, because the story won't end up as they thought. The novel was written by a woman, so this is a woman's perspective tale and quite neatly told story. Not a bad direction or the screenplay, surprising the production quality was too good. Seems it is a quite family type film for involving kids, certainly the theme was very strong, so definitely for adults only. It is neither worth nor a waste of time, only if you come across to it and has no other choice, you can give it try.

6.5/10… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews

Pablo6120Mar 27, 2016

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Comparisons will be made to other films where the protagonist is the bored, troubled housewife, but "I Smile Back" presents a darker, almost painful interpretation of the genre. This is clearly Sarah Silverman's film; as Laney, her continuing spiral into depression, is a revelation to those of us know her as primarily a stand-up comic. Silverman has movie experience, nearly all of it in lighter, comedic roles: "Who's the Caboose", "School of Rock" and "Wreck It Ralph". The other stand out is young Skyler Gaertner.. He is perfectly understated as Silverman's 10 year old son, who is exhibiting some initial depressive behaviors.
As Laney slowly drowns in a pool of depression, self medication and overt sex with both strangers and a family friend, her doting yet unsatisfying husband Bruce (Josh Charles) endures. He eventually self destructs as Laney relapses immediately after a month in rehab. This relapse seems to be triggered by her visit with her father (Chris Sarandon) after 20 years of estrangement. She then learns of her grandmother's alcoholism, which explains the genetic chain that continued with her dad, herself and, quite possibly, her son.
Josh Charles is under-utilized in the film and Thomas Sadowski, as the philandering neighbor, is just adequate.
Rated R, "I Smile Back" contains nudity, sex scenes and harsh language. I might add that some adults, who have family histories of depression and addiction, might feel ill at ease watching Laney's agonizing spiral. However, I can recommend seeing this film based on Sarah Silverman's incredible first-rate performance.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews

tldOct 23, 2016

This film is not a comedy, nor should fans expect that of Ms. Silverman. However, despite her brilliance as a comedic legend, this is a role that only she could have played, and she does it well. If this performance is any indication of theThis film is not a comedy, nor should fans expect that of Ms. Silverman. However, despite her brilliance as a comedic legend, this is a role that only she could have played, and she does it well. If this performance is any indication of the dramatic talents Silverman has in her repertoire, we're in luck because she has only just begun. This performance may not have produced many accolades for her resume, but Silverman carries this movie and deserves credit for her brave performance.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews

Tess1982Sep 26, 2021

An incredibly moving, skillfully executed film. Beautifully acted and directed. It was deeply moving.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews