Do You Suffer From "A.C.O.D." ? You Just Might...

A.C.O.D. (2013)
Rated R for language

Starring Adam Scott, Richard Jenkins, Catherine O'Hara, Amy Poehler, Jane Lynch

Directed by Stu Zicherman

The Story:

Carter (Scott) is an Adult Child of Divorce (ACOD) from his parents Hugh (Jenkins) and Melissa (O'Hara).  The two despise each other, and their relationship has forever scarred how Carter thinks of love.  When his younger brother (Clark Duke) is going to get married, Carter wants to make sure both of his parents come, but at least pretend to be civil with one another.  When Carter discovers that this reunion has caused the two of them to engage in an adulterous fling with one another, his world begins to come crashing down around him.

I had high hopes for this film, and felt like it never lived up to the potential.

It has an amazingly talented cast, but much of the scenes just don't sparkle with crisp gags or anything.

The movie waffles between laugh out loud funny and just amusing.

Is Walking In On Your Parents Hilarious or Amusing?

Sometimes it also wants to bring a little drama to the proceedings.

It may be this balance that was most troubling aspect of the film.

The actors are all really good, but much of their dialogue or situations just sort of happen with no rhyme or reason.

The potential for Adam Scott as he realizes that he is actually a test subject in a book about children of divorce is ripe for the picking, but really that entire subplot just fizzles on the vine.  Aside from introducing Jessica Alba to the movie, for no other reason than to have Jessica Alba in the movie apparently.

I think that I had 3 really HA HA moments and otherwise, just an amused smile from time to time.

That's a disservice to what this film would, and should have delivered.

Too much squandered potential.

Especially with the cast of this pedigree.

Dude, He Totally Didn't Love This Movie!

As the credits roll, the crew weighs in with their thoughts on divorce, and it's amazing how many are indeed scarred by their parent's divorce, and most want nothing to do with marriage.

Sad.

Final Grade C-

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Nope, the disappointment is still too fresh.