Synopsis
When new kid in town Ed Wallis is given an assignment to interview an older person, he turns to his mysterious neighbor, Ashby Holt for help. That new connection leads to unexpected journeys for both of them, as Ashby – who turns out to be a retired CIA assassin – deals with a terminal prognosis, and Ed deals with adjusting to life with his newly single mom and developing relationship with a brainy classmate, Eloise.
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Cast
- Mickey RourkeAshby Holt
- Nat WolffEd Wallis
- Emma RobertsEloise
- Sarah SilvermanJune Wallis
- Adam AalderksValchek
- Seth DousmanGarry Smits
- Kevin DunnCoach Bruton
- Zachary KnightonFather Ted
- Michael LernerEntwhistle
- John Enos IIICoach Wally
Recommendations
- 70
The Hollywood Reporter
A winning film about reconciling one's self-image with reality. - 70
Village Voice
It doesn't hurt to have excellent support from the likes of Emma Roberts (as Ed's love interest Eloise) and Sarah Silverman, surprisingly winning as Ed's affection-starved mother. But it's Wolff and Rourke who have to carry the load, and for the most part they do. - 58
The Playlist
McNamara attempts to keep the movie ticking right along, and for all its half-cocked plotlines, Ashby is able to maintain a consistently humorous and light tone. - 50
Los Angeles Times
Rourke and Wolff certainly have chemistry, and Sarah Silverman (as Ed's concerned single mom) and Emma Roberts (as Ed's potential girlfriend) provide solid support on the edges. But the humor never feels aimed in any particular direction. - 42
Entertainment Weekly
Rourke, whose face has become an inexpressive waxwork in recent years, doesn’t do much with what’s already a pretty undercooked role. - 40
The New York Times
Ashby is a movie divided against itself. It’s a comedy afraid of being too funny lest its macho sentimentality seem even more ridiculous than it is, and a drama afraid of appearing too serious lest you dismiss it as hogwash. - 40
Variety
McNamara’s second directorial feature (following 2003’s Aussie “The Rage in Placid Lake,” another teenage-misfits-make-good comedy) winds up a poorly mixed bowl of mismatched ingredients that is nonetheless tepidly, forgettably digestible. - 38
Slant Magazine
The film displays little ability to utilize Ashby's violent actions for means other than high-concept fodder and out-of-place bloodshed.
