Surprisingly incoherent and boring

Best movie of this year hands down!

When a movie has you begging for it to end not even half way through it's pure crap. We've all seen this movie and this characters millions of times, nothing new in it. Don't waste your time.

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

For a tired night where I just wanted to be entertained, this movie was light-hearted and fun and had some good scenes. I actually agree with the other reviews saying that it didn't meld well--the way things played out was inconsistent to who Bill seemed to be. But I wasn't looking for melding, just for something to keep me interested and laughing and this did that. There was also a touch of sincerity to the whole of it that appealed to me.But. Oh the but. I was truly bothered by the story line of the role reversal between Bill and the kid.(Logan Lerman, who was exceptional in his role and really stole the show). I love kids, love encouraging them. love seeing them expand their minds and enjoy the zany aspect they can bring to life. But Lerman's character was so smooth, polished, jaded, slick. And Bill was mentoring him to a life of chronic disappointment when he grows up and his smart-alecky ways start to smack him in the face. Spoiled rich kid does not even BEGIN to describe him. He was living in a plastic world and that was adulated throughout the movie, which I think is just wrong. Of course, the movie wouldn't work without it, so in that sense I'd give it a 0 star.Lerman not only never has to face the consequences of his actions (opening scene Bill covers for him selling drugs in high school--he lies for a kid he doesn't even know.) but he is the cocky kingpin throughout the movie. I felt my stomach turn a couple of times when Lerman is sagely giving advice to BIll about how he should run his life (which is pretty much the basis for the movie). If you look at who Lerman's character is--a young, self-entered, quite narcissistic ne'er–do–well--for him to give advice is about as valuable as a McDonald's soda cup discarded on the side of the road. To me, there is just something terribly wrong in the staging of that. Not that Lerman gave the advice, that fits for a typically know-it-all teenager. There is no fault to the character he is, just that this one-dimensional, inexperienced character who gets by on money, looks and grins was given such high esteem for being wise in the movie. And given this while at the same time Lerman is constantly having to be covered for his indiscretions by the man he is giving advice to. There is a disconnect in that and it could be an undercurrent reason why many found this movie flat. A cocky kid who ends up mentoring the mentor doesn't sit well in the psyche. It comes across as false. It actually could have worked well if Bill was Lerman's own age.Then there is the total disregard for any standards--Bill lies for Lerman repeatedly, joins in his sexual soiree (again, it's the age factor that leads to the discomfort), and joins him in getting high: A sentimental, golden scene where Bill has completely aided the delinquency of a minor and drove him across town while completely stoned. You can get arrested in both Washington and Colorado for both of those--pot friendly as they now are.What partially redeems the plot (the film is redeemed by good acting) is that Lerman's character, narcissistic as it is, really does show generosity (with more than money, which has no value to him) and caring for Bill. And Lerman is such a superb actor that there is still a wisp of feeling that he looks up to Bill and seeks him to "please love me like the dad I apparently don't have." But then again. I was never completely won over that Lerman's actions weren't simply b/c he is like a mob-leader in self training and he just wanted to control Bill for his own personal pleasure (like buying the extra fire works). By the end there did seem to be genuine affection, but I"m not sure any of Lerman's actions were truly altruistic.Again, typical for a teen, so the character is true to form, but that still leaves the "let me be the leader, follow me" factor out of whack.

Although the plot is peculiar and some characters exaggerated, the movie gets additional points from me because of giftedly performed roles: Aaron Eckhart as Bill is a great choice and he is not a total comedian, who might have resembled Steve Martin or Jim Carry, for example. All major supporting roles: Logan Lerman as The Kid, Jessica Alba as Lucy, Elizabeth Banks as Jess and Timothy Olyphant as Chip are also catchy. There are several realistic things in the story, however, there are not too many Western movies where adults' irresponsibility or minors' willingness and opportunity to lead an adult's life are depicted in a positive way, almost as role models. And the kid's parents were never visible or interested where their boy was and with whom... Almost an ode to carelessness, without hypocrisy. The ending was also such that I liked, no faking.This movie should definitely obtain more attention and praise, as a good entertainment for killing time. Critics do probably not appreciate this and parents may be not happy either...

I really enjoyed this movie, but some things needed to be improved. Aaron Eckhart was really good as Bill. However, I felt that except for Bill, Paul, Mr.Jacoby, Jacoby Jr., Chip, and Jess the rest of the characters were underdeveloped. The Kid (Logan Lerman) did not have a back story, which I was especially disappointed with. I really enjoyed the fact that it was the mentored mentoring the mentor ... but a kid who knows it all and has it all is rather boring. I was waiting for him to have family issues or something, seeing as he seemed to always be with Bill, and I don't think many parents would let their kid be with an adult that long. I could be wrong I guess. I really liked the character of Jess and thought Elizabeth Banks did an excellent job. Finally, I am a bit confused by the ending. I could not interpret the kids reaction to the fireworks exploding from his locker. He seemed mad, but I thought it was supposed to amuse him ?

Aaron Eckhart does a great job as Bill, a man who hates his life in Bill. Or Meet Bill. I am still not sure what it's called. The case to it says Meet Bill and IMDb says Bill so I don't know. One thing I do know is that this a seriously funny film. I had never heard of it. It's a shame cause I am sure that a lot of people haven't. The film has a great cast. Eckhart does an interesting portrayal as Bill, am man with a miserable life. His life really is miserable. His wife(played by Elizabeth Banks)is having an affair with Chip(played by Timothy Olyphant), the town anchorman. He works for his wife's father. In a really boring job.His life changes after he finds out about his wife's affair. He gets into tons of embarrassing periods. Such as when he attacks his wife's lover. Or when he records her having sex with him. But his life really changes when Bill has to mentor a high school kid(played by Logan Lerman). Once this happens, he starts to have more fun and he makes some new friends. Like an underwear saleswoman(played by Jessica Alba).Bill is a very funny film. Eckhart does very well here, and there isn't a boring moment throughout the entire film. There are some big laughs here. Is this a masterpiece? Not quite. But it is a funny film. Bill:****/*****