DVD Review: Thirteen Conversations About One Thing (B+)

Thirteen Conversations About One Thing
Directed by Jill Sprecher
Starring John Turturro, Matthew Mconaughey, Clea DuVall and Alan Arkin
MPAA: R
Grade: B+

Review by Scott Standish

From the writer-director combo of Jill and Karen Sprecher (Clockwatchers) comes this fantastic movie about happiness and our never ending search for it. A carefully constructed ensemble piece with fantastic acting, this one is a must see.

The movie shows just how fragile our outlooks on life can be, from several interconnected angles: An attorney (Matthew Mconaughey)at the height of his game sees his life changed in one single moment. An office manager (played well by Alan Arkin) becomes annoyed with the "always cheerful" stance of an employee, so he single handedly attempts to derail it. A middle aged teacher (John Turturro) attempts to swap out his boring life for a more exciting one, with unusual results. A young girl with a "happy dreamer" mentality gets awakened by the cruel hand of fate.

A straightforward examination of luck, fate, happiness and hope, Thirteen Conversations is a very special film with rich dialogue. A script structure that is nonlinear but easy to follow helps to perfectly pace the story. Look for fantastic performances by Arkin (as usual) and Clea Duvall (Girl Interrupted). A delight.

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