A Million Little Pieces

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source: A Million Little Pieces

I wanted to like this, it opens with some pretty nice slomo film work, and looks dark & impressive. I didnt make it to the end however. The characters were a little undercooked and their motivations werent always clear. The romance the lead has didnt seem that convincing. Plus I was really looking forward to seeing Giovanni Ribisi, however he also either had trouble portraying that character, or the writing wasnt right for him. The interactions between him & the lead also seemed forced and these characters seemed to "get" close all of a sudden, without real development of how this occurred. Billy Bob did shine in his role however, and (partially) redeemed this film to me. Its not a bad portrayal of drug issues, ie: it doesnt force the "drugs are bad" rhetoric down your throat - however there are better films out there dealing with these issues

I like the bit where he stole the bottle of whiskey on the plane.

If the book is like this, know that anyone new to sobriety would not fair well in that rehab. Wrecking the joint, breaking every tenant on getting and staying sober.. Then sticking your nose in a pint of whiskey!?! Grimm has better fairy tales. Thumbs up on the full frontal. The only real piece in the entire film.

Usually i like movies like this but this one was incredibly boring. I had to force myself to finish it. Not worth the four bucks i paid to rent it.

This film provided an insightful look into the world of addiction. It hinges on the cusp of greatness with the depiction of the main character battling his own demons and addiction. Would highly recommend this film to anyone.

Movie started great... dark, gritty. But Billy Bob looked uncomfortable with his part as did Giovanni. The character Lily just seemed thrown in. If there had been no full frontal male nudity, it seemed like another Made For TV movie. Not good....too bad with such great actors in it.

Never read the book, but was aware of the stink it caused when it was revealed that it was all made up. The movie seems equally made up from the get go. I know that movies are fiction and all that...but if they're supposed to take place in our reality...shouldn't they follow the rules of our reality? Even accepting that this took place in the eighties....you cannot just throw an unconscious person on a plane! That's called kidnapping sweetie. And since the predicate act crossed state lines...now its a Federal offence. How did the 'doctor' know where to send him? Who paid for the 'five minutes from now' plane ticket? I'm with the character on this one when the stewardess says she's not allowed to give him a drink. "Says who?" That 'Doctor' is not his doctor, he has absolutely zero authority to give you orders in regards to him. And its nice that (presumably) his family has the money to pay for this treatment. Cause let me tell you...treatment facilities ain't cheap! So, I couldn't even make it to the ten minute mark myself. The only thing the film really had going for it was Aaron getting his kit off twice. Other than that, it just seems like one big PSA advert. This movie is your brain on drugs! It's a fictional movie, based on a fictional book, dressed up to seem like a true story.

Whatever the truth of Frey's recollections, there can be no doubting the power of what the Taylor-Johnsons put on screen. This is a full-blooded portrayal, beginning with Frey at rock bottom as he collapses after a crackfuelled party session. Bundled on a plane by a doctor - destination: a Minnesota rehab facility - he wakes up mid-air, immediately stealing a whisky miniature from the hostess trolley, downing it furiously. Taken to the clinic by his concerned brother (Charlie Hunnam), Frey has no wish to recover and hates the facility's 12-step programme, showing contempt for others there, including the seen-itall counsellor (Juliette Lewis). His antiauthoritarian streak leads him to another troubled soul, former teen prostitute Lilly (Odessa Young), though their secret assignations inevitably lead to more pain. More volatile than other recent addiction tales (Beautiful Boy, Ben Is Back), this film has a raw energy to it, putting Taylor-Johnson (the director) squarely back on more interesting terrain than her 2015 bonk-buster Fifty Shades Of Grey. Featuring fine work from Billy Bob Thornton as a flamboyant addict prone to dispensing pearls of wisdom, and an electric ATJ at his most grizzled, this is the sort of film where you just can't say no.