Louie CK is a master of subtle, sentimental, semi-sweet story telling that is enriched here by Joe List's insights into one version of the American family. I think Louis CK is a welcomed voice in the indie film circuit any time he wants to speak. It worried me that his mistakes in life would black list him from continuing like it has so many others (obviously with various degrees of severity, guilt & what the crime was in it of itself). For what Louie did, while gross, was not and should not be a career ender. Reading professional reviews it's clear that CK's simply breathing anywhere near this (or any) new work is invitation to talk about his admitted mistakes and whether we as a society should give the thumbs up or down to let him continue to live. If CK made this about himself it would have been criticized, if he made it subtly about himself it would have been brought to the front & if he just made a non-offensive piece of work that too would have pissed off the enlightened crowd. It's obvious strangers want an apology and they don't know when they will be able to stomach him again. I argue, however, that the average movie goer, even the enlightened ones, care less about the scandal than anonymous judges on Twitter do or the people who have blacklisted him. There is no moving on for these people, so I'm happy that the artists here have moved on and made a meaningful film, since they will be judged harshly either way.
Fourth of July is a touching insight into a family incapable of sharing their true feelings & Joe's need to feel love in a more obvious way. Louis CK's brand of no nonsense filmmaking is clearly imprinted on the film, giving it freedom to be what it wants and doesn't sacrifice the tone just because it's relatively cheaply made. CK is also a good judge of talent and has put together a great cast, namely Joe List himself (whom I'd never heard of before this). The film made me laugh out loud a few times, always Joe's line & made me feel the longing for home and family thanks to the supporting cast. On the critical side, it felt a little long in a few places & possibly was about 10 min too long (the middle dragged until Joe yells at everybody). I kept seeing a green tint in one scene that I think was intentional, but I don't get what it means. Louis CK lately seems subdued in his acting (I felt the same way with the informercial he did). Live on stage he seemed normal when I saw him in New Orleans back in 2020, so not sure why his acting on camera is so so quiet and underplayed, almost tired. I want to see more of what he can do next & always enjoy his comedy. The film feels like a CK project, the only thing is CK seems somewhat absent from it on camera. Overall, well made indie film and I'm glad I bought it (for 5 years). If you can't get past the mistakes of its creator that seems to be more of a you problem and it shouldn't be what criticism is about. The film isn't perfect, I only have it a 6. It never quite reaches the wow moments from the Louie show or Horace and Pete. It is a good first step, though, toward hopefully more from an obviously talented group of people who can take a likely inexpensive production and run around and make something real out of it.
Fourth of July is a touching insight into a family incapable of sharing their true feelings & Joe's need to feel love in a more obvious way. Louis CK's brand of no nonsense filmmaking is clearly imprinted on the film, giving it freedom to be what it wants and doesn't sacrifice the tone just because it's relatively cheaply made. CK is also a good judge of talent and has put together a great cast, namely Joe List himself (whom I'd never heard of before this). The film made me laugh out loud a few times, always Joe's line & made me feel the longing for home and family thanks to the supporting cast. On the critical side, it felt a little long in a few places & possibly was about 10 min too long (the middle dragged until Joe yells at everybody). I kept seeing a green tint in one scene that I think was intentional, but I don't get what it means. Louis CK lately seems subdued in his acting (I felt the same way with the informercial he did). Live on stage he seemed normal when I saw him in New Orleans back in 2020, so not sure why his acting on camera is so so quiet and underplayed, almost tired. I want to see more of what he can do next & always enjoy his comedy. The film feels like a CK project, the only thing is CK seems somewhat absent from it on camera. Overall, well made indie film and I'm glad I bought it (for 5 years). If you can't get past the mistakes of its creator that seems to be more of a you problem and it shouldn't be what criticism is about. The film isn't perfect, I only have it a 6. It never quite reaches the wow moments from the Louie show or Horace and Pete. It is a good first step, though, toward hopefully more from an obviously talented group of people who can take a likely inexpensive production and run around and make something real out of it.