Bardlerx
Strictly average movie
2freensel
I saw this movie before reading any reviews, and I thought it was very funny. I was very surprised to see the overwhelmingly negative reviews this film received from critics.
Cissy Évelyne
It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.
Phillida
Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.
MisterWhiplash
Mistaken for Strangers is a film that I saw back in early 2014 at the IFC Center in New York. But it's also one of those films I almost forgot I saw- not because I meant to, it just got shuffled briefly out of my memory so far as the title - but I but was extremely glad just now I found the title as the subject matter. You may not know who the Berninger brothers are before going in (or you'll probably know one of them more likely than not), but by the end they leave their mark due to their personalities and how they relate to each other and the world around them.This is about a filmmaker brother (not a great one, but trying) who follows around his up-n-coming brother musician, who leads the band The National (you may/may not have heard them, big hit singles) while he's promoting a new album and playing concerts. Oh, and there are some incidents that make things awkward, weird and at times it's just a matter of this guy Tom Berninger messing up while kind of 'attached' with this band. Does he know what kind of movie he's making? Does he tell the band? What happens if this all falls apart and he goes back to making schlocky horror movies? Now there's stakes here - at one point the National is even involved at an event with the POTUS (that's an intense, kind of hysterical scene as I recall).So really, it's about this band The National, but only in the secondary sense. It's much more of a self-portrait, what it means if you keep mucking up your own work and getting in the way of doing what you know you can do creatively (this happens more than once, sometimes just due to the Party-of-One mentality Tom has). But in the light of this guy and his brother - a man who Tom looks up to, but also isn't sure he can really live up to in the sense of creative engagement. Can he make this a great movie? We're along for the ride either way, and it's a funny, affecting, and honest on all sides kind of experience. Charming, even.
mountainloafers
Now that we know Tom's brother and sister in-law found a dreary, funny, at times embarrassing (until now) cameras view into his wasted, drunken aimless lifestyle while attempting not to have an all out mental break down filming his older brother, Matt and his band, display oodles more uuuum, conviction as the WORK and churn out one fan filled show after the other on a world tour. Luckily for him, Matt and his wife took time and explained to him that this actually enough footage to cover a house full of post it notes about. Only it wasn't the goal to film a documentary about on long held, maybe secret and never spoken jealousy Tom had over Matt for getting his ass out there and seizing life by the nads and putting together, with his band, The National, possibly the most brilliantly underestimated body of work in the history of modern music. Yes, fan boy here, and yes they really are that good, So, now that we know Tom can get off his ass and make a very heartfelt docudramedy about his improving life, can we now get a Documentary that's about The National? Geees, Tom, it's not all about you, ya know? On a side note. It was a great Brothers on a road trip movie. It was good to see you guys made it through and still love each other. Now, study up on "How to Give an Interview for Dummies", Drag out the, I'm sure pretty great concert footage, hop in the editing room and give us the real deal. Some of us are fans of the band too, ya know...For the rest of you that have not been following along, Id say, start by watching Tom's doc, then listen to The Nationals album in reverse, starting with "Trouble Will Find Me" and when you've finished, check out Vincent Knights - The National: A skin, A night, A film. It's another solid 8 out of 10.
fordtim76
Pretty awesome documentary overall. I really didn't expect it to be any good and was pleasantly surprised. As well, I had never heard of this band before, not necessarily my type of music but I liked what I heard. Tom is a guy we all know, maybe a guy we are all at times. A likable fellow that can to no awareness of his own, ruffle feathers and mess things up even though his heart is in the right place. The dynamic of this film captured how we can all feel insignificant despite our efforts. Tom you are talented and you showed it with this documentary for sure.Def worth a watch.
debduo
Highly recommend this documentary. It is real and fresh and raw all at the same time. Taps into the human element with emotion and heart. One of the most real movies you may ever see. Don't take it too serious, you will be pleasantly surprised and delighted. Sibling rivalry and seeing how we don't measure up in our families from our parent's and siblings perspective is all confronted in this movie. You will laugh and cry for the characters, they explore how to live life and what is important in life. Very well worth your time. It makes you see the glamorous and drudgery of being in a successful band and what it takes to make it all happen. Ostensibly while looking at the band and its creative process we are given a beautiful look into the organic process of the brother and how he sabotages himself along the way and comes out the other end with a great movie as the result.