Craig Johnson’s Film, Wilson (based on the Daniel Clowes graphic Novel), is an interesting examination of the dichotomy between love and loneliness. Summary Wilson (Woody Harrelson) is a neurotic curmudgeon who seems to confuse the definitions of the word "friendly" and "ass." He spends 98% of his day in solitude and the other 2% bonding with his dog pepper. Wilson attempts to make friends with total strangers but is so unbelievably off-putting, that all of them scamper away. Early on in the film, Wilson receives terrible news that his Father's health has taken a bad turn. He has to leave his one true friend, Pepper with a dog watcher (played by Judy Greer) and head to be by his dad's side but it's too late. This sends Wilson into a tale-spin …show more content…
Harrelson not only has the acting chops to pull of Wilson's curmudgeonly demeanor but can pivot on a dime and be heartfelt on screen. Who wouldn't be at least a little choked up watching Wilson on his knees begging to be part of his daughter's life? Dern slipped into the role of Pippi perfectly conveying a mixture of ambivalence and the feeling that her life at 45 is adrift (regardless if she's a mother). Cinematographer Fredrick Elmes was extremely effective capturing the ever-changing landscape of America. I love that in Wilson's neighborhood, it started off with these mom and pop stores and progressed over a 17 year period, his home now is considered "hip" and is surrounded with every "retro store" imaginable and coffee bar as well. Clowes crafts a script which tackles the dichotomy of love and loneliness managing to show that there isn't much separating the two. When Wilson is in his apartment, with his things and pepper, he appears to love his life. The death of his dad changes all of this. He quickly realizes that even though he has his apartment and his dog, life is much more than possessions. Without ruining the film, I'll just say that Cheryl Hines plays Pippi's sister Polly and is fantastic. Her part isn't huge, but she certainly is