Read Positive User Reviews for The Art of Self-Defense

7

hnestlyontheslyOct 7, 2019

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The Art of Self-Defense deserves better than we can give it. It’s a dry, dark comedy that mocks the toxic masculinity of its genre bedfellows, chief among them Chuck Palanhiuk’s Fight Club. I’d be interested to see if there’s been any sustained discussion of those two films since ASD is so tickled by poking at the hyper masculine boy’s club mentality in the office, at the super market, in the locker room at the dojo–you know, regular guy stuff. Jessie Eisenberg is in his element. The real breakout star for me is Imogen Poots, returned at last from his transcendent Green Room, who is at once violent, misunderstood, kind, and angry as hell.

There are certainly aspects of this story that feel tired. My dad, who has not seen the movie, was able to get me about seventy-five percent of the way there just based on the trailer, but I really do think that the story and its twist rely heavily on the film’s overarching critique of the genre (and by extension, maybe the culture). I don’t know if that relegates it to second-class status with the likes of films like Isn’t It Romantic, but I hope not, because it accomplishes a lot more in the way of humor and surprises than I think the former did.

Wife didn’t think all that much of the movie. Said she was bored by the film for deeply personal reasons. She says she doesn’t care about the story of the agony of the tortured Beta male.

The ending drew applause from the audience and some big, shocked laughs. Poots’s fringe should win best supporting actor.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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8

CameOct 14, 2019

This film is dark comedy but i didn't laugh at one joke. But somehow i really liked this film a lot. It's indescribable good.

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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8

LamontRaymondJul 26, 2019

One of the most insane movies I've ever seen. Starts out a little dry and oddly funny and goes WAY off the edge. Can't give up much, but certainly worth seeing.

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10

stoffanatorJul 22, 2019

Just to let other reviewers know. The movie wasn't unable to make up its mind about whether or not you should laugh at the characters or care for them, it was a dark comedy, and a perfect one at that. Enjoyed from start to finish.

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8

KeithDowJul 12, 2019

‘The Art of Self Defense’ is a coming out party for writer/director Riley Stearns, who has not only overcome the obstacle of a sophomore feature film, but has completely vanquished the notion that it should pose a problem in the first place.‘The Art of Self Defense’ is a coming out party for writer/director Riley Stearns, who has not only overcome the obstacle of a sophomore feature film, but has completely vanquished the notion that it should pose a problem in the first place.

The key to his success? Time. Stearns’ first feature film, ‘Faults’, debuted in 2014. That means he had five years (voluntarily or otherwise) to develop his next project. And the evidence of having that much time to fine tune and meticulously polish what would become ‘The Art of Self Defense’ is most evident in the writing, which is witty, funny, incisive, and without a shred of overwrought excess.

The film blends comedic elements—sometimes light, sometimes dark—with character study and sociology in a ‘Karate Kid’ meets ‘Fight Club’ mashup that is delightfully entertaining the entire way through. Despite some violence and a couple of injuries which could have been toned down to broaden the mass appeal of the film, achieving as much probably isn’t Stearns’ primary goal, and we expect both he and his trenchant film to garner a well-deserve cult following.… Expand

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7

saltydog99Aug 5, 2019

The Art of Self-defense is a really good movie that gives us one of Jesse Eisenberg's best performances. Eisenberg carries this film and makes it not just an enjoyable watch, but a captivating one. The acting is all around fantastic and IThe Art of Self-defense is a really good movie that gives us one of Jesse Eisenberg's best performances. Eisenberg carries this film and makes it not just an enjoyable watch, but a captivating one. The acting is all around fantastic and I loved every character. The writing and directing is also very good. The dialogue is amazing and even though the story is about as stupid as can be, you still care about the characters and want them to succeed. I also have to give credit to the amazing editing and cinematography, both are top notch. I really like this film and appreciate aspects of it.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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8

TVJerryJul 25, 2019

Even though this is being advertised as a comedy, there's almost nothing funny here. Instead is a very dark, somewhat twisted story. After being attacked by a motorcycle gang, a fearful accountant (Jesse Eisenberg) takes up karate. This isEven though this is being advertised as a comedy, there's almost nothing funny here. Instead is a very dark, somewhat twisted story. After being attacked by a motorcycle gang, a fearful accountant (Jesse Eisenberg) takes up karate. This is Eisenberg at his most tentative, neurotic and apprehensive, which is saying something. Even so, his character's development adds some new notes to his performance. What starts out as his journey to achieve confidence thru martial arts, twists into a brutal examination of toxic masculinity and misguided brutality. I'm sure people who practice karate will find this dojo an outrage, but general audiences will be in for a sinister, bleak, somewhat intentionally absurd cinematic contortion.… Expand