Starring: Mark Ruffalo, Tim Robbins, Gwyneth Paltrow
Adam (Ruffalo) is a sex addict and has been abstinent for
five years and regularly attending group sessions, where he helps others with
their addictions. Then he meets Phoebe (Paltrow) and the two develop a
relationship. However, Phoebe doesn't know of Adam's addiction and when he
truth comes out, trust starts to be tested.
For all intents and purposes, Thanks For Sharing presents
itself in its promotion and its concept as a rom-com. This is only a half-truth.
Thanks For Sharing subverts this by turning a genuine problem that is often
played for laughs in fiction (sex addiction) and playing it for drama. The
subject is handled compassionately but falls into the easy trap of being a
little heavy-handed at times. On the rom-com aspect we have Mark Ruffalo and
Gwyneth Paltrow (leading some to wonder if Hulk is stealing Iron Man's
girl...the producer being Edward Norton only strengthens the Hulk connection)
and the two have genuine chemistry; so much so that when they're in the same
scene but not actually playing against each other, like when the two are
holding a video chat, some of that spark fizzles out.
There are two other plot lines present in the film. One
focusing on Tim Robbins re-establishing a relationship with his for formerly
drug-addicted son (played by Patrick Fugit) and the other being a friendship
shared by two new additions to the sex addiction help group played by Josh Gand
and Alecia "Pink" Moore, giving a confident performance in her official
debut as an actress. The latter plot line works better , even of there really
isn't enough there to support the film. Robbins and Fugit both give good
performances but the story is cliche and predictable.
Whilst the film tries to go with both being an amiable
romantic-comedy and a serious drama it's faintly humorous and the drama
sometimes is played too strong and dark, with a revelation about a minor
supporting character really pushing the film into water it's too deep for the
film to swim in. In general, Thanks For Sharing is a film of two slightly
satisfying halves making for a slightly satisfying whole.
Next time, metal gods Metallica take to the stage in an
IMAX 3D exclusive, Metallica: Into The Never.
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