Cert 15
97 mins
BBFC advice: Contains strong language, drug use
A (female) pal of mine rightly complained that I hadn't seen much of her lately so there was, as far as I could see it, an easy answer - go to a picture.
Yes, even my friends are now being roped into the every film challenge.
So, after her refusal to watch A Second Chance (big mistake), she threw forward Noah Baumbach's While We're Young.
I presume this is because she thought it might be a bit of a giggle.
Mrs W had already seen the trailers and was more than happy to give it a wide berth.
Wise decision.
Baumbach, who directed Frances Ha, which, in my opinion was hugely over-rated, has again produced a 'comedy' which is entirely devoid of laughs.
And it provides yet more evidence that Ben Stiller busted his flush with Meet The Parents 15 years ago.
While We're Young surrounds a childless couple in their 40s, played by Stiller and Naomi Watts.
They are submerged by routine until they are befriended by a pair in their mid-20s (Amanda Seyfried and Adam Driver) who introduce them to the possibility of rekindling their youth.
Thus, they go and try all sorts of wacky stuff, from being internally cleansed by a shaman to hip-hop dancing lessons, but, at the same time alienate their friends and family.
The problem is that none of this is funny and, worse still, nearly all of the characters in the movie are unlikable. I would except Charles Grodin's - he plays Ben Stiller's father-in-law with some style.
Baumbach has been compared to Woody Allen because he writes about the neuroses of the American middle-classes.
It would seem from the plaudits he has received that there must be audiences eager for this type of material.
But instead of empathising with his self-pitying characters I just feel like shouting 'pull yourself together'.
Ben Stiller: "I read it an felt very connected to all the issues my character was going through. I have literally had doctor's appointments like that doctor's appointment (in the film).
Reasons to watch: If you are into those Woody Allen-type comedies about neurotic 40-somethings
Reason to avoid: It's not funny
Laughs: none
Jumps: none
Vomit: yes... two minutes of solid puking in one scene
Nudity: none
Overall rating: 3/10