Bad Acting and worse Bad Screenplay

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

Based on a relatively low-key graphic novel by Daniel Clowes, Wilson is a frustrating black comedy that can't quite come up with the goods to match its leading man Woody Harrelson.In one of his best roles since True Detective and delivering his best big screen turn since he rolled out the cowboy hat for Zombieland in 2009, Woody Harrelson is a delight as the cantankerous, rude, obnoxious and somehow likeable Wilson.A perennial loser who just doesn't get why everyone around him is an idiot and can't quite bring himself to adapt to modern day life, you wouldn't call the character of Wilson a stretch for Harrelson to play but it doesn't take away from the fact that Harrelson completely nails his turn.It's a joy (often cringeworthily so) watching Harrelson interact with actors like Laura Dern, Judy Greer and Margo Martindale and as Wilson begins to gather a greater appreciation for life after he finds out he has a teenage daughter and realises he needs love and friendship in his world, Harrelson is up for the journey but sadly Craig Johnson's film isn't.Working alongside Wilson creator Clowes, Johnson has a tough time balancing the films tonal shifts between oddball comedy, life affirming drama and romantically tinged musings and it often feels like the film is uncomfortable in its own skin as we're taken along from scene to scene and scenarios that worked in the graphic novel don't quite come across as well in the film treatment.We never full connect to Wilson and his relationship with Dern's ex-wife Pippi or his burgeoning friendship with Isabella Amara as his estranged daughter Claire, which makes a large portion of the films middle-section feel rather so-so. The other issue is that while the film often is laugh out loud funny, there is a large percentage of the films jokes that don't hit the way they should, making the film at times awkward when it wasn't even aiming to be.Final Say - Wilson is a slight film, a small-scale character study of a man who's failed to see the meaning of life for many a moon and while Harrelson is brilliant in a role he could undoubtedly play in his sleep, the film around him just never clicks into a gear that would've made this tale something truly special.2 ½ amusement park rides out of 5

At first this movies lifts one's expectations. It could have been a great portrait of a straight talking slightly bewildered man (Harrelson is quite good). Then that focus is lost. But replaced with another dynamic that quickly grabs the attention - the story wanders unexpectedly, but in a good way. The middle part I watched mostly to see where the makers can take this story. And every turn was well within the logic of the story, well within the foundations laid down at the start for the characters and the spaces they move in. Then it suddenly becomes silly and sentimental. And ends. Did they run out of time and decide to quickly end this little money spinner? Did they grow bored? Pity. It could have been a much better movie. As it is there are much better ones to watch today.

The definition of a comedy is: a (type of) film, play, or book that is intentionally funny either in its characters or its action. So that be said, I would think Wilson has to make me laugh at least once, or if not a true laugh at least a smile. Well guess what, none of the above occurred. And that's not because I have no sense of humor, not at all, I can pretend I have a pretty good sense of humor. But Wilson is just not funny, not even slightly. If I had to live with somebody like Wilson I would probably beat him up and end in prison. That's how annoying that character is. Extremely annoying but absolutely not funny. The acting is okay though. If they asked Woody Harrelson to play an extremely annoying person then he managed it very well. The story is long and boring, you just wait for the movie to finish, as quick as possible. Will I ever watch this movie again? If I have problems falling asleep maybe.

Woody Harrelson's undeniable talent comes with force in 'Wilson'. As the misanthrope protagonist, Woody is at his scene-stealing best, overpowering this uneven film with his bare hands. But hey, this Comedy-Drama isn't without its moments. 'Wilson' Synopsis: A lonely, neurotic and hilariously honest middle-aged man reunites with his estranged wife and meets his teenage daughter for the first time.'Wilson' is a sadistically funny tale of a strange man, whose ups and downs, either result in hilarious situations or in pure bizarreness. I found myself laughing for the most part, particularly in its first-hour, which is engaging. The second-hour does get a little dark & even the culmination doesn't really, but fortunately, the narrative never gets boring. At 94-minutes, 'Wilson' is thoroughly watchable & sporadically funny.The Screenplay by Daniel Clowes, which is based on the graphic novel of the same name by Clowes, himself, shifts gears from being funny to dark, but works in parts overall. Craig Johnson's Direction is passable. Cinematography & Editing are fair.Woody Harrelson is the trump card of 'Wilson'. The Acting Thespian nails the part! He enacts the strange protagonist with enviable easy & keeps you invested even when the Writing falters. Its a winning performance from beginning to end. Also in terrific form is the magnificent (and hot) Laura Dern, who scores as Wilson's estranged wife.On the whole, 'Wilson' is a Woody Harrelson show all the way. Watch It to see how fine acting alone can save an uneven story.