A.C.O.D. Review

A.C.O.D. is an entertaining but uneven story that is elevated by worthy performances from nearly everyone involved.

fully grown Children of Divorce(akaA.C.O.D. ) follows the story of Carter ( Adam Scott ) who , as long as he can remember , had to watch his eccentric and free - game parents fight - even after their marriage had already ended . The belittling and tiff continued even though his father Hugh ( Richard Jenkins ) and mother Melissa ( Catherine O’Hara ) had remarried but , over time , a doubtful truce settled in - until Carter ’s youthful sidekick Trey ( Clark Duke ) announces an impulsive battle to his girl , Kieko ( Valerie Tian ) .

Trey hopes that both their mother and father will pay heed the wedding , despite their ongoing rivalry , and to help ensure his brother ’s happiness , Carter spy an intervention . In the process he discovers a long - keep back secret from his childhood , one that causes him to rethink his journeying to adulthood , his career , and his own love interest , Lauren ( Mary Elizabeth Winstead ) - while at the same time helping his brother plan the crowing hymeneals and manage any paternal mischief-making .

Stu Zicherman makes his directorial entry onA.C.O.D.- which he co - wrote with Ben Karlin ( Modern Family ) . Despite the indie approach on display forAdult Children of Divorce , movie fans might retrieve Zicherman as one of three writer ( along with Zak Penn and Raven Metzner ) who write the oft - deridedDaredevilspinoffElektra . Since that time , Zicherman has contribute to several ill - plump out TV series ( Six degree , Life Is Wild , andLights Out ) that were each limited to a single season . Still , the author / manufacturer ’s past shortcomings should n’t needs intend that potentialA.C.O.D.viewers should write the film off - as it ’s a unanimous ( albeit flawed ) indie flick offer . The cardinal premise of the film is unique ( as well as timely ) and quality public presentation from Scott , along with veteran soldier like Jenkins and O’Hara , make certain shortcoming forgivable.A.C.O.D.is not a calling - defining indie film for Zicherman but it is a harmless and mostly entertaining try at exploring New relationship .

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The plot tend heavily on the whimsey that the current crop of 30 - something adult are the least nurtured propagation in ages - nipper of divorcement , separation , and generally unhappy home that are now clamber in their own attempts at affair . It ’s a good foundation garment for storytelling , and Zicherman includes a variety of relationship dynamics to juxtapose , allow for some interesting insight into the different fashion that the great unwashed undertake to recover affection - especially those without idyllic childhoods .

Yet , whileA.C.O.D.throws a lot of intriguing philosophic interrogation into the mix , grounded with charming and humorous character moments , the movie maker pass myopic in his effort to direct many of these idea or say anything unexampled about adult small fry of divorcement depicted object . Ultimately , the report is ruminative and helter-skelter , much like real - life , but for all the pontificating , A.C.O.Dprovides few eventful takeaways that viewers can ponder once the movie is over .

Nevertheless , execution are substantial in the film - result in witching setups that work as standalone scene even if the big narrative is ill-chosen as a whole . Adam Scott presents a likable geeky guy cable everyday that does n’t stray far outside of the doer ’s pilothouse but is elevated by some noteworthy cloth to mine . Carter is a normal , albeit damaged , guy rope surrounded by significantly zanier family and friends - mean that the best element of Scott ’s performance is how he adapt the character to a form of position and oddball personalities .

Much ofA.C.O.D.sees Carter scrambling to contain his folk together , while at the same fourth dimension confront his own issues , but a handful of interaction where the character is catch - off sentry duty , forced to acknowledge the brokenness of life , give Scott ( and his supporting cast ) room to do something fresh .

To that end , it should n’t get along as a surprise that Richard Jenkins and Catherine O’Hara ( not to mention Clark Duke ) are reliable , effortlessly doling out life lesson and laughter . That said , it ’s Amy Poehler and Ken Howard , playing Carter ’s stepmother Sondra and stepfather Gary , respectively , that propose the most impactful moments . Poehler , particularly , is playing against type in theA.C.O.D.- making it clear she ’s got more to offer than the over - the - top personality audiences now expect ( ever since she became a standout onSaturday Night Live ) . Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Jessica Alba also deliver in their contributions - though both of their characters are in the main design to be mirrors for Carter to examine his own life and choices .

Despite a likable and quirky persona , Jane Lynch ’s part as Dr. Judith ( kid psychologist and author ) is both implemental in makingA.C.O.D.distinct - while at the same clip innovate a turn of philosophic conundrums that Zicherman has trouble rectifying within onscreen drama . In an campaign to tie the ideas together Lynch ( and Jenkins ) often wax - poetical on the subjects of sprightliness and love in emotionally piquant role cadence , but the lessons are never really realize in the actions of the characters . or else , TV audience are being told what the principle thespian think - without ever seeing many of the whimsy put into meaningful ( or entertaining ) practice . In a more mellow - supercilium indie effort , the disconnect might work butA.C.O.D. , more often than not , follow pretty received romanticistic - dramedy image - mean that certain viewers may not be prepared for ( or satisfied by ) the film ’s gradual fracture into abstract .

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A.C.O.D.is an entertaining but uneven story that is elevated by suitable performances from nearly everyone involve . It ’s an interesting tale that attempts to make sentience of innovative relationship - as well as the ripple effect they can have on others . However , tantrum - to - scenery the motion-picture show does picayune more than point in time to its central characters , jab and egg on them into let on their secrets , only to twine the whole thing up in prosaic generalizations that miss worthwhile emotional payoff . In spite of proficient intention , Zicherman fails to capitalize on his compelling " Adult Children of Divorce " platform to present viewers with every bit captivate insights .

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Adam-Scott in ‘A.C.O.D.’ (Review)