POSTI IN PIEDI IN PARADISO(A FLAT FOR THREE)

2nd MOVIEMOV: Italian Cinema Now

Greenbelt 3, Cinema 5

This comedy tells the story of 3 guys down on their luck in terms of their occupations as well as their personal lives who reluctantly decide to share a run down apartment. The 3 guys have very different personalities and habits, yet they are bonded by common problems like alimony, child support payments amidst harsh economic times. 

Most of the laughs arise from the dire situations these guys face on a daily basis.  Trying to make ends meet is difficult enough, they need to deal with the eccentricities of each other in a very cramped apartment.

The talented ensemble cast do their best to convey the difficulties faced by each character.  Although there were times in the story where too many side plots veered away from the essence of the film.   The main core of this comedy is love for family as best exemplified by how these guys expressions change whenever they talked about their children.

A good comedy that doesn't seek to resolve nor judge its characters based on the choices/decisions they make in life. It simply presents a valid portrayal of daily life through the eyes of 3 ordinary guys who just want to make the world a better place to live for their family.  

Although there is the customary and predictable feel good ending to tie up all the loose ends, somehow I left the cinema with a smile on my face after watching this heartwarming Italian film.

TED

Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis
Seth MacFarlane (voice of Ted)

Although this film is about a teddy bear that magically comes to life per the wish of an eight year old boy on Christmas Eve, it is definitely not a movie for kids.  

Ted (voiced by Seth MacFarlane) is a fuzzy and very sarcastic teddy bear that uses drugs, drinks heavily and talks offensively.  He is the best buddy (and only friend) of John Bennett (Mark Wahlberg) a man child who works at a rent a car company.  Despite his childish behavioral antics, John is in a happy relationship (going strong at 4 years) with Lori (Mila Kunis) a smart and attractive woman.

The film starts off in 1985 and spans on until John is 35 years old and still lives with Ted. They are mostly high on drugs, leading direction-less existence.  It even comes to a point where John's romantic relationship is threatened by him spending too much time with his buddy.

There are a lot of 80s references from music, TV shows to cameo roles from celebrities who were famous during that era.  Dialogue is mostly raunchy humor courtesy of the foul mouthed Ted.  Sure the jokes and references were sexist and racially offensive but I was totally amused and actually laughed out loud on numerous occasions.  I felt like I was in on the private jokes between two friends and this surely stems from the fact that I grew up watching those shows and listening to that genre of music.

The best moments are from the special bond between Ted and John. Their friendship is genuine and they have great chemistry together, both sparring off from the silly and dare I say immature antics of each other.  

The introduction of a subplot where an obsessive stalker/fan kidnaps Ted is a bit weak and didn't really add up.  It was merely inserted to drum up some drama and was actually very creepy.  Despite the adult themed raunchy humor, I couldn't help but feel a certain warm, and fuzzy feeling/vibe emanating from the bromance.  So much so that I was actually sad when Ted 'faded' away.  

Overall, "Ted" was an entertaining film. The special effects were so realistic you forget stuffed animals don't talk.  But this type of movie might not appeal to sensitive and easily offended viewers. So proceed with caution!