The Humbling: Movie Review

I am not sure what happened to director Barry Levinson. In the 1980’s the filmmaker brought us “Diner”, “The Natual”, “Young Sherlock Holmes”, “Good Morning, Vietnam”, and “Rain Man”. In the 90’s he went off track with the Robin William’s disaster “Toys” and “Jimmy Hollywood”, before giving us a short squirt of quality with “Sleepers” and “Wag the Dog”. Unfortunately nothing Levinson has done in the last 17 years (with the exception of 2001’s “Bandits) even comes close to his early work and his latest “The Humbling” could very well be his worst film yet (even worse than “Toys”).

Legendary stage actor, Simon Axler (Al Pacino) has just lost the ability to perform. After passing out in the middle of a play, Simon has checked into a rehab center in order to help get his head right. Not long after his release, Pegeen (Greta Gerwig), the daughter of old friends pays him a visit. Even though she is gay and half his age, it doesn’t stop the two from form forming a relationship. Pegeen actually had a major crush on Simon when she was younger.

Even though “The Humbling” has one hell of a supporting cast that includes Charles Grodin, Dylan Baker, Dianne Wiest, Dan Hedaya, and Kyra Sedgwick, there is absolutely nothing here that I can recommend. Everyone seems miserable and the movie is a flat out bore. It took way to much effort on my part just to try and stick with it. A bad movie can be tolerated but it should never be insufferable.

By: Marc Ferman