I Heart Huckabees (2004)
MEDIUM LEVEL SEX SCENE, MEDIUM LEVEL COARSE LANGUAGE, SEXUAL REFERENCES
Albert Markovski (Jason Schwartzman) is an environmentalist and founder of the local chapter of Open Spaces Coalition. He writes poetry, saves rocks and plants trees in parking lots. He is also concerned that recent coincidences he has experienced involving “an African guy” have a deep significance and he wants to know their meaning. So Albert hires so-called “existential detectives”, Bernard and Vivian Jaffe (Dustin Hoffman and Lily Tomlin).
But with their peculiar and different methods, Bernard and Vivian want to probe deeper into Albert’s life. Vivian’s approach is to follow Albert everywhere to investigate the day-to-day routine of his life. Vivian discovers that an even bigger problem bugging Albert is a guy called Brad Stand (Jude Law) who works for the huge Huckabees retail store corporation and who, with his easy-charm ways, is trying to usurp Albert’s leadership of Open Spaces. In the meantime, Bernard introduces Albert to his own technique, which involves a theory about everything being connected, and zipping Albert up in a big bag so that he can “dismantle” all that he knows. From hereon, things get strange.
As part of his ploy to undermine Albert, Brad also hires the Jaffes and somehow, the interconnectedness message gets through to his girlfriend, Dawn (Naomi Watts) who is also the sexy spokes model for Huckabees. Suddenly, Dawn decides to discard any hint of glamour and begins to appear without makeup and wearing a very uncool Amish-looking bonnet. Are you keeping up so far?
Meanwhile, as part of his “therapy”, Bernard and Vivian team Albert up with his “other” – another of their clients, Tommy Corn (Mark Wahlberg). Tommy is a fireman who has issues with petroleum and who refuses to ride on the fire engine, preferring to ride his bike to the big blazes. Tommy is also becoming discontent with the Jaffes and he introduces Albert to their archrival, Caterine Vauban (Isabelle Hupert) whose methods are very different again.
| Status: | Normal |
|---|---|
| Run time: | 106mins |
| Origin: | GERMANY |
| Aspect Ratio: |
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Member Reviews (42)
42 Member
Reviews
Helen
says
This is a very unusual film. It's highly entertaining. You don't often see a film dealing with philosophical ideas and the meaning of life. Let alone containing such a star studded cast.
margaret
says
Basically incomprehensible. Can't understand why so many big names obviously queued up to be in this one. Perhaps the humour is based on some weird therapy movement in the U.S.
Tanja
says
This is a movie that makes you think further and tries to answer life's questions. What is the reason for 'coincidence' and why am I here?
On the other hand, the movie is hilarious. One of the funniest spiritual movies around.
chris b
says
I felt that this movie was a big waste of time. It boasts a pretty impressive cast, but they were all wasted on this material. The writers think the script is clever and witty, but in reality it's just a boring drag. I nearly switched off a few times, but laboured through to the end. I wish I hadn't bothered, when there are so many good movies out there. Life's too short.
Matthew B.
says
Disappointing film that could probably be very funny if there was some point.
Danuta
says
Very entertaining to say the least, very quirky to say the most. Very strange to some it up! Initially I chose it because I like all the actors in the film. Thought it can't be half bad if they are in it. If you give it a go and get into it and listen and watch without your own preconceived ideas, you 'll find it very clever and wonder how it was ever directed, acted and the script written at all. Very much a collaboration from all, otherwise it could never be. I
enjoyed it and liked all the actors and without them doing their craft and giving us their special skills it could have been a disaster that didn't work! Judging by the reviews I see people either like it or dislike it.
Natalie
says
Perhaps I wasn't in the mood for it, but I don't reccomend it.
Jenna M.
says
This was the best film I've seen in a long time! Truly clever, refreshing and hilarious - the trick is not to take it too seriously. I wish more film makers would think outside the square in such a light-hearted, creative and non-pretentious way.
MR.
says
I chuckled all the way through this one. Loved it.
Katherine C.
says
This was such a waste!
It just doesnt work. I am sure the director and writer have great faith behind the message they were trying to push but it REALLY didnt come through.
Sara C.
says
Loved it! To deal with the philosophical subject matter in such a deliciously funny way was no easy task but this film pulls it off brilliantly. Highly recommended.
Rhiannon S.
says
This movie must be bad. Despite the attractive cast - several of my favourite actors and celebrities - when i came to review this movie i couldn't even remember watching it. It's a total waste of celluloid.
Brian M.
says
I wanted to get into this movie. I couldn't. I very rarely give up on a movie. I did with this. Maybe it was the 2 glasses of red, but I just couldn't get interested. What the hell was going on? I don't know and I didn't care enough to find out.
Jessica R.
says
One of my favourites. I smile/laugh every time I think about it. Quirky and beautiful.
Mick J.
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Patrick B.
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Kornelis V.
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Kevin D.
says
Unbelievable rubbish made barely watchable by Dustin Hoffman and Lily Tomlin
Ashley K.
says
One of my favourite films of all time. And one of the few American films I own.
Very Python in it's humour and intellect, and also in it's social commentary and moral messages.
If you have the time, it's well worth switching the commentary on and watching the extras as they give a great deal of insight into the real life expriences of the director as a former activist, and the passionate ideas that fueled this film.
The main thing I find entertaining is his treatment of the modern family unit and his various takes on that. Using the analogy of a Somalian refugee for instance to show how the lead character has been orphaned by his cold hearted parents, which basically gives the whole plot away, as this is what drives him to seek out the meaning of his 'coincidences' in the first place. The stuff at the Christian fundametalists dinner table is riotous, I fell off the couch.
I didn't find the film subtle or ambiguous at all, I thought it was very straightfoward and lighthearted and really got home it's points about family, belief, identity and purpose. Almost beats you over the head it's so forthright, but without taking itself too seriously.
Bernadette B.
says
A little bit too quirky for me; I've no idea what was going on for most of the movie.
Ali GB
says
This is a great movie if you like to watch a whole spectrum of human neuroses unravelling. Every flawed character and flawed relationship, even the minor ones, is exposed in a humorous and exaggerated manner. Recommended if you like quirky movies.
Julie M.
says
Ben H.
says
Possibly trying to be too clever for it's own good. It's still a journey worth taking with some funny performances.
Paullette H.
says
I would describe this movie as relaxing entertainment
Allison A.
says
One messed up movie. Not something to sit back, relax and watch.
Mrs C
says
A great film for those of us who have a philisophical or spiritual point of view.
Megan S.
says
lynnie
says
This movie is quite strange, don't be fooled by the great cast line-up. It was just too bizare to be enjoyed thoroughly. The storyline didn't make sense alot of the time.
Christine C.
says
Jessica G.
says
Um. Hmm. Appreciate the effort and idea, a bit like the philosophical book Sophie's World put into alternative film. But I felt like I was watching a high school 'faction' documentary on philosophy and not being entertained. What is supposed to be an amusing reinterpretion of philosophical ideas becomes tired very quickly.
Dale
says
Quirky and out there film with an amazing cast. Loses it a bit and you have to appreciate whacky humour, but it certainly makes good entertainment if you enjoy art house films.
Ann W.
says
Leroy R
says
Hmmmmm... Not sure what to think? I don't think I really got it, or maybe you're not supposed to? Anyways, good to see something different from the usual CGI filled Hollywood blockbusters.
Marina G.
says
This was not a good attempt at this type of humour. Maybe it has a particular niche. It definitely is not mine!!!
Amanda
says
Slightly disappointing given the star cast. Good effort from Naomi Watts.
Matthew R.
says
Utter rubbish. Embarassing for the likes of Duston Hoffman and Jude Law to be associated with a film like this. Please don't waste your time with this. Apparently if you found the slightly odd Royal Tennenbaums funny this was supposed to appeal - it doesn't.
Paul M.
says
Loveable.
Ben L.
says
Petama
says
Very strange movie, it took a couple of goes to get through this one. Great cast by complicated story line and out there ideas.
Jeff T.
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Peter G.
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Peter L.
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