Be Kind Rewind (2008)

User Rating:

6.6/10   

Director:

Michel Gondry

Writer:

Michel Gondry (written by)

Release Date:

22 February 2008 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

You name it, we shoot it

Plot:

A man whose brain becomes magnetized unintentionally destroys every tape in his friend's video store. In order to satisfy the store's most loyal renter, an aging woman with signs of dementia, the two men set out to remake the lost films.

Plot Keywords:

Friend | Video Store | Sabotage | Power Plant | Deception

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

Jack Black	...	Jerry Gerber
Mos Def	...	Mike
Danny Glover	...	Elroy Fletcher
Mia Farrow	...	Miss Falewicz
Melonie Diaz	...	Alma
Irv Gooch	...	Wilson
Chandler Parker	...	Craig
Arjay Smith	...	Manny
Quinton Aaron	...	Q
Gio Perez	...	Randy
Basia Rosas	...	Andrea
Tomasz Soltys	...	Carl
Marcus Carl Franklin	...	Kid #1
Blake Hightower	...	Kid #2
Amir Ali Said	...	Kid #3

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some sexual references. (also video version)

Runtime:

102 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | SDDS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Ireland:12A | USA:PG-13 (certificate #43318) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | UK:12A | Canada:G (Québec) | Australia:PG | Canada:PG (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Ontario) | Norway:7 | Denmark:A | Sweden:Btl | Singapore:PG | Germany:o.Al. | Malaysia:U | Finland:K-3 | Greece:K | Netherlands:AL | USA:PG-13 | Hong Kong:IIA | Australia:M | France:U | South Korea:12 | Argentina:Atp | Iceland:L

Filming Locations:

Hackensack, New Jersey, USA

Company:

New Line Cinema

Trivia:

The reason for Jack Black's hilarious version of the "Ghostbusters" theme song was simply because the legal department didn't have the rights to Ray Parker Jr.'s song yet.

Quotes:

Jerry: [in character, shooting Robocop] I will shoot you. And I know robot karate!

Movie Connections:

References Inside Man (2006)

Soundtrack:

Early in the Morning

Lovely, charming, original and not too sweet

I missed this film at Sundance, caught it as soon as possible, and I wasn't disappointed. Despite being privy to the exhaustive fine-tuning of an indie film with an improvised feel, watching "Be Kind" I could absolutely believe it came together as quickly and spontaneously as the snippets of "sweded" films. This was part of its charm and I think Gondry's intention.

All the actors were engaging, and genuine heartfelt emotion - most definitely by the surprising, naturally pitch-perfect Mos Def - transcended the dialog, plot points and general wackiness.

The Fats Waller thread was just random enough and very skillfully and satisfyingly woven into the story from beginning to end. This and many other details - including touches like lovely Mia Farrow's curiosity about supernatural films and Sigourney Weaver's brief take-charge turn - convinced me that Gondry put quite a bit of thought and skill into perfecting the film's endearing awkwardness. It might not be to everybody's taste, but I think it was a great idea, executed and seasoned just right.