Zac Efron's Latest Film Is Too Cheesy to Handle
Comments (7)
Zac Efron (Creative Commons)
No doubt he has a huge fan base, mostly comprised of pre-teen girls who squeal and giggle every time he smiles.
Unfortunately, that will probably be the only demographic lining up to see his newest film, "Charlie St. Cloud."
Not even his beautiful, baby blue eyes can save Zac from such a lackluster movie.
The film is based on the novel "The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud," by Ben Sherwood.
Efron plays main character, Charlie St. Cloud, a young man overcome by grief after the death of his younger brother, Sam (Charlie Tahan).
In the movie, Charlie struggles with letting go and moving on, deferring his full ride to Stanford to stay at home and work at the cemetery in which his brother is buried.
Efron exerts painstaking effort into drawing the audience in to feel Charlie's pain, but the brooding close-ups (that lasted uncomfortably long) and endless scenes of breakdowns made his character much less convincing.
The scenes with Charlie playing catch with his dead brother are almost heartfelt, but are ruined by scripted one liners that leaves the audience tearing up...with laughter.
The romance that develops between Charlie and former classmate Tess (Amanda Crew) allows Charlie to begin to move on, but his reluctance to let go of the guilt of his brother's death causes a strain in their newfound relationship.
The story seems almost too predictable for a majority of the film. The only plot twist that adds a slight element of interest is Charlie's ability to "see" dead people, as a result of his almost crossing to the other side.
The development toward the end definitely catches the audience off guard, and I don't want to spoil it here. But even with an unexpected ending, it was not enough for me to give this movie a good rating.
The verdict: Very disappointing. I thought "Charlie St. Cloud" could have been Efron's chance to show audiences he can do more than Disney musicals. However, his efforts are clouded by terribly scripted lines and a fairly predictably storyline. Save your money and go see something else next time you're at the theater.
Rating: 2/5
"Charlie St. Cloud" comes to theatres July 30. To see the trailer, click here.
To reach reporter Amanda Tran, click here.
Comments
I haven't seen the film (yet) but I just had to say that photo is stunning. I'm fully prepared for the movie to suck but I just want to stare at Zac for a couple of hours.
I definitely agree with your review! I'm a sucker for chick flicks, but this was just too much. I found myself laughing most of the time!
I'm pretty sure sports isn't his thing but he went from basketball star in HSM to an accomplished sailor, and then to top it all off, he plays catch with his dead brother. Awesome.
That may be the best picture I've ever seen...
Isn't this sad? How the career of a star like this is SO wildly predictable? Can't we be a *little* shaken up once in a while by these tween obsessions? I just want Zac Efron to make a movie like "Edward Scissorhands" or "Donnie Darko" or "Boogie Nights" or something and be DONE WITH IT. Do. Something. Interesting, sir. Better yet, be ugly sometime.
(please)
YES- I love the picture too.
I don't know why but I still have hope that he'll surprise us with a great film. I don't think it's the acting that sucks - it's the script, the cheesy score, the super long (unnecessary) close-ups of him. We all know he's hot. Don't need a 30 sec. zoom-in of his face. Seems like the filmmakers chose him not to showcase his talent but just to exploit his teen heartthrob-ness. Yuck.
that is a lovely picture of him. and yes, it will be horrible. and yes, i will be ashamed to tell the cashier "uhh.. charlie st. cloud please.." but yes, i will watch the movie. I mean, come on. look at him. I can happily say i never saw high school musical because i found the idea of it revolting, just like i find this movie revolting. but boy, post-pubescence has been amazing to zac efron.
best way to avoid your "dilemma"--order tix online! hahaha. that way no judgment! but yeah, even though i KNOW this will be horrible, i will see this. i just will. how has the movie industry suckered us into seeing movies we KNOW are going to be bad?? i would also like to take a minute to WILDLY endorse "ramona and beezus" to anyone who hasn't seen it. sheer brilliance.