DVD: Inspiration Out Of Focus

On A Clear Day (2.5/5 stars)

This movie tells the story of a man who, after losing his job and being too old to do anything else, gets really angry at the world and decides to swim the English Channel. It is a pretty typical, slightly-comedic slightly-dramatic against-all-odds inspiration story. I saw this movie because it was a Focus Features release (why am I still relying on them I don't know), so first after over ten movies in a row that I really liked this is the third out of four that I did like much at all.

What have you seen in this movie that you've seen before? Well you've got the unlikely character trying to accomplish a vaguely impossible feat to start. Insert a few personal demons and dysfunctional relationships and you've got yourself a character. Add a dash of random obstacles thrown at the character, and few moments where the character thinks they are going to give up, and you've got the struggle. Throw in a cast of supporting characters who are either discouraging towards the main character or supportive and spired by them (some of whom, usually, first one then the other) and you've got your relationships. Add some manipulative touching moments and the "oh will he succeed!" climax and you've got your writing and directing down.

While it isn't quite so outrageously cliched and emotionally manipulative as say, Akeelah and the Bee from earlier in the year, and a little bit more quirky and interesting, this film isn't anything special at all. What I don't get about these types of movies is why they don't even bother to attempt to add anything new to the formula. You've seen this movie a million times before, and you can definitely choose not to watch it one more time.