AN EXISTENTIAL COMEDY.

Environmentalist Albert Markovski (Jason Schwartzman) hires two “existential detectives” (Lily Tomlin, Dustin Hoffman) to follow him around; the purpose is to learn what life is all about. Director David O. Russell got a little crazy with this comedy that is living its own life without much regard for the audience. The “story” is hard to follow… but that’s intentional. It’s just as convoluted as life itself and the many theories you can find on the meaning of life. I like the film’s high spirits and the acting, but on the whole, it does absolutely nothing for me.

2004-U.S. 105 min. Color. Widescreen. Directed by David O. Russell. Screenplay: David O. Russell, Jeff Baena. Cast: Jason Schwartzman (Albert Markovski), Dustin Hoffman (Bernard Jaffe), Lily Tomlin (Vivian Jaffe), Jude Law, Mark Wahlberg, Naomi Watts… Isabelle Huppert, Tippi Hedren, Shania Twain, Jonah Hill, Isla Fisher, Kevin Dunn, Jean Smart. Cameos: Talia Shire, Richard Jenkins. 

Trivia: Hill’s first film. Co-produced by Russell. Shire, who plays Schwartzman’s mom, is also his real-life mother. Gwyneth Paltrow and Nicole Kidman were reportedly considered for a part in the film.