How to Be

In this independent award-winning tale about essential dilemmas in life, Robert Pattinson plays Art, a depressed-for-no-apparent-reason musician with a college degree and a job at a supermarket.  After a reluctant break-up with his girlfriend, Art tries to deal with his miserable self, seriously considering therapy and uselessly relying on his equally troubled friend Ronny (Johnny White).

Then, Art becomes inspired by Canadian self-help author Dr. Levi Ellington’s (Powell Jones) book, “It’s Not Your Fault”, and writes to the doctor, begging for help.  In an unrealistic but hilarious twist, Dr. Ellington flies to London to stay with Art in his parents home (after receiving a hefty check from Art as motivation) in order to evaluate Art’s home life and analyze his everyday behaviors.

The plot goes on to reveal secrets from Art’s childhood that have created the awkward, nearly loveless relationship that Art now has with his parents.  Not helping the situation were the facts that his father burned his favorite toys as punishment when he was six years old, or that when Art screamed, “You have never loved me” to his mother she responded with, “Of course we care about you, what else are we supposed to do?”  His family constantly infers their disappointment with Art in a more vocal way than most parents would, making circumstances more complicated for an already delicate guy.

I have say: I just don’t really like Rob Pattinson. I’m not sure what the all the hype is about.  From what I have seen, his acting is poor to mediocre (although this film was far better than his previous non-Twilight flick, The Haunted Airman, which I also painfully reviewed). And I just don’t find him that attractive. Not as a vampire, not as a musician, and not in real life.

For me, the highlight of How to Be was Dr. Levi Ellington.  I laughed out loud only about four times total, and all were because of Dr. Ellington.  In one scene, he is popping out from a bathroom stall in the little girl’s “loo”, in the next he is baking a cake, and in another he is creepily perched in Art’s parent’s bedroom, encouraging Art to creep into the bed while they are sleeping.  His “crazy old man” character saves the day in an otherwise boring, not-much-going-on portrayal of everyday occurrences.

But I did enjoy this film.  It takes us inside the head of one individual who serves as a snapshot example for everyone else in the world.  In the end, we realize that we are all struggling, that no one’s childhood was perfect, and that we all must deal with our youth each day in our present – and aim to make the best of it.

How to Be is on DVD now – whether you love Mr. Pattinson, adore delusional old men, or are just looking for something quick and interesting to watch, check this one out.