I'm an avid X-Files fan. I loved the series when it was originally on television and I still love watching the reruns today. I will admit, however, that I'm a much bigger fan of Gillian Anderson than that of David Duchovny. To many that is considered blasphemy. Duchovny is considered by many to be the consummate actor. I like him well enough, but I can easily point to a dozen better actors.
Still, I have to admit that I was intrigued when I saw the previews for his movie “Trust the Man.” Too bad it doesn't live up to all of its hype. It's not that it is a really bad movie. It isn't, but it isn't a great one either.
But I do not fault the actors. Duchovny and his co-stars Julianne Moore, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Bill Crudup, and Eva Mendes actually pull off some pretty good work in this film. It is the screenplay and the direction that I must take to task.
It appears that Bart Freundlich may simply have bitten off far more than he could chew in this film. That happens sometimes when the writer and director is the same person. Since the screenplay is a little drab and depressing on its own, it could have benefited from a director who could bring a slightly more upbeat mood. Instead, you just get more depression; making this move far too maudlin.
The characters in this film are just not very likable. They are strange and interesting and perhaps very lifelike. But they are not likable. Duchovny's character - Tom - is married to Julianne Moore, with whom he has two children. He has taken over the role of a househusband while his wife - an actress - continues to work. He's not at all bad as the keeper of the home fires, albeit a little self-centered when it comes to everything he expects from his wife. But, hey, who's perfect? The truth is, that Duchovny manages to pull off this half-baked character with some charm and wit to spare. I'm not quite sure how he manages to do it, but he does. So, I guess that maybe he's still got that brilliant acting gene after all.
Moore's Rebecca isn't much better. She's uptight and self-absorbed and doesn't seem at all cognizant of her husband's pleas for her attention. Worst of all, she then truly seems shocked when she finds out that her husband is having an affair. I don't feel that this role did anything to expand Moore's acting repertoire. She could play this dull and drab character in her sleep. She deserves so much more from a script than she was given in this one.
Gyllenhaal's character - Elaine - wants to have a baby. The problem is that her boyfriend, played by Crudup, isn't ready for such a grownup relationship. Gyllenhaal is really quite amazing in this role. However, that really doesn't surprise me. I've watched her pull off some of the worst written characterizations ever and actually not only made them work, but work well.
Crudup was barely needed in this movie. I found him absolutely annoying from his very first word to his last. I think I really did throw popcorn at him on the screen. He was that bad. I really hope to never see this guy on the big screen again.
The problem with this movie is that it is difficult to believe that these couples ever got together. What is a sex addict (Tom) doing with a frigid Rebecca? How did a woman who obviously wants a family end up with someone who should never procreate? These are characters just don't seem to belong together. Sure, it makes for good conflict but it leaves the film no where to go. Again, the problem lies in the script's inability to make the audience care what happens to these four people.
There are a few good moments in this film like when Tom finally realizes he has a problem and decides to join a sex-addicts anonymous group. There are some truly bad moments too, like when Rebecca decides to set up Elaine with her old college boyfriend. The result was just too disgusting for words. Another occurs when Toby starts stalking his therapist. That whole situation makes absolutely no sense.
The ending to this film is totally contrived. It almost seems improvised to finally put an end to the audience's pain. It wasn't quick enough for me. By then, I wanted to just bash in my television. I couldn't believe that I actually sat through this horrible film.
“Trust the Man” is from Fox Searchlight Pictures and Sidney Kimmel Entertainment in conjunction with Process Production. It is rated R for sexual content and is 103 minutes in length.
This is a Canadian film released in the U.S. in 2006.
