zif ofoz is this a male in marriage midlife crisis movie?is this a slapstick comedy?is this a teen sex flick?is this a tween fantasy movie?i do not know.but i do know it ain't funny because it's trying to be funny and comes across as just stupid. the story rambles on putting 'bill' in one goofy situation after another and then has a serious finish.not much else to be said about this attempt at comedy/drama/sex/slapstick/idiosyncrasy bomb of a film.forget it!

jotix100 Bill has married into a family with money. His reward is a position in the bank owned by his father-in-law, where he does not have anything of importance to do. His wife Jessica, Bill discovers, is having an affair with an oily television reporter, more interested in his looks, than anything else. When Bill realizes the deception, he moves away to the home of his brother, a gay man, living with his lover.Before he knows about his wife's cheating, Bill has been eating candy bars secretly; he has a big belly to show for his new habit. Through the connections of his father-in-law, Bill enters a program at the St. Albans School, where he becomes a mentor of one teenager from a prep school. Bill, who recognizes his life is going nowhere, decides to make it on his own by getting a donut franchise, much like Krispy Kreme, he is afraid of Jessica's disapproval.The boy Bill mentors, is wiser in things that his bigger mentor is not. Despite his misgivings, the "Kid", as he is known, is able to steer Bill into doing fun things, including moving into a big tent pitched in his brother's backyard, and entertaining Lucy, their friendly sales lady and another hot lady in his new home. Bill realizes what is wrong in his life and decides to lose all the extra weight he has been carrying. Doing that, he is able to win Jessica, and the franchise that means his independence.This comedy about a somewhat middle age crisis, was conceived by Melisa Wallack, who co-directed with Bernie Goldmann. Neither partner show any experience in taking the helm in a motion picture before, although Mr. Goldmann has long been associated as a producer, that is why the results are mixed. As a comedy, "Bill" misses its opportunity to be funny because of a screenplay that goes nowhere and satisfies no one.Aaron Eckhart is a good actor, but like some of his fellow players, he needs to have someone strong behind him when it comes time to choose what project to take. His Bill will not add much to his otherwise good movie career. Elizabeth Banks is a beautiful presence, no matter in what role, her Jessica makes no sense at all. Jessica Alba's Lucy is more of an adornment in the picture, for she has not much to do. Logan Lerman, on the other hand, is perfect as the naughty rich boy used to getting his own way.

Roland E. Zwick Bill is in the midst of a full-blown midlife crisis. Not only is he stuck in a job he hates (a made-up position at his father-in-law's bank), but his wife is cheating on him with a local news reporter. Meanwhile, his potbelly seems to be expanding at an increasingly alarming rate, a condition brought on by the massive quantities of donuts and candy bars he consumes daily out of nervousness and force of habit. Bill can't seem to step out of the shadows of either his wife's dad or the brother whom everyone seems to think is brighter, more financially successful and more all-around "together" than Bill is. In fact, the one hope Bill has of turning his life around may well rest with an Alex Keating-type prep school student he's agreed to mentor as part of a program for entrepreneurial teens.Written and directed by Bernie Goldman and Melisa Walick, "Meet Bill" ranges from the hilarious to the mildly amusing - with just enough dull patches thrown in to keep us from raving too much over its virtues or letting it too much into our hearts. The screenplay is frequently sharp in its comic portrayal of middle-aged angst, but it also feels vaguely rudderless, undernourished and underdeveloped for much of the time.The real joy of the film lies in Aaron Eckhart's star turn as a man whose career and personal relationships clearly aren't what he'd hoped they'd be at this particular point in his life. He's nicely supported by Elizabeth Banks as his philandering wife; Logan Lerman as his preppie protégé; Jessica Alba as a lingerie salesgirl; Reed Diamond as his overly competitive gay brother-in-law; and SNL stars Kristen Wiig and Jason Sudeikis as donut-shop franchise owners who hope to go into business with Bill.And speaking of the entrepreneurial spirit, a veritable goldmine awaits anyone savvy enough to market that amazing belly-busting weight-loss program Bill uses to great effect towards the end of the film.

huntthejest I rarely comment on movies, but the previous reviewer seemed like a blathering idiot. This movie is excellent, not only acting-wise(Eckhart's transformation is amazing, and keep an eye on that kid) but the story is very real. It contains just enough over the top to remind us that it is, indeed, a dark comedy. But it definitely puts the humor in the right places. The film has a serious message, but a subtly hilarious tone. Though way out from mainstream "succesful" films it is splendidly done, and the ending leaves us inspired to action to better our own lives. Be who you want, and not what others expect. In the end, everyone respects him more for it.