DVD REVIEW: MEET BILL (2008)

What Is It About?

Bill (Aaron Eckhart) leads a very dull life. He works at his father in law’s bank and his only dream in life is to open a doughnut franchise. When he realizes his wife (Elizabeth Banks) is having an affair with a local TV anchor (Timothy Olyphant), Bill realizes it is time to change his life.

Who Made It?

It is the first film by co-directors Bernie Goldman and Melisa Wallack (who also wrote it).

Is it Any Good?

I like Aaron Eckhart.

I like Elizabeth Banks.

I like Timothy Olyphant.

I love Kristen Wiig (who along with her SNL co-star Jason Sudeikis play the doughtnut store franchisors).

Yet, the film never completely comes together.

There is a very distracting subplot about Eckhart being a mentor for a high school student. It isn’t needed. It is basically there to set him up to be introduced to Jessica Alba’s character (a retail worker who poses as his wife), but they could have instead built up Alba’s character and eliminated the student.

The elements are there for a much better film, and it isn't a complete disaster, it just could have been more. A simple run through of the screenplay could have fixed all these issues.

Still, for fans of the cast, it might be worth a rental

2 1/2 stars out of 5