HALF EMPTY

Directed By: Robert Peters
Written By: Robert Peters, Dan Mirvish
Cast:Robert Peters, Mareike Fell, Marek Harloff, Bela B. Felsenheimer, Adele Uddo, Malick Bowens

100% Five Stars

Our Reviewer Says:
"Charming, funny, and touching."
- Katharine Lies

THE EFC REVIEW

The only information given about this film prior to viewing was that it was a comedy mockumentary, a musical...and that it was shot in Germany. What to make of that? Within the first few minutes, it was evident that this was an original, charming film, and it only got better from there.

The film opens with Bob Patterson (Robert Peters) and his soon-to-be ex-girlfriend Adele (Adele Uddo) in bed together one morning. Adele is full of drama, but the only reaction she manages to elicit from Bob is that he grabs his sharpie and note cards and starts writing down “good” quotes.

Bob is a motivational speaker, or “happiness counselor” as he deems it. He does public speaking and conferences for companies to make their employees happier. He has also written a self-help book entitled North Star, because "the North Star is the only constant in our lives."

Bob meets with his publishers, a loud bunch of yes-men, and soon finds out that his book has only sold one copy in the USA in the last year and a half… and that copy was returned.

However, there is good news.

Bob is apparently huge in Germany. With that news, the publishers and secretary break out in song, “You’re Big in Deutschland,” and the first taste of Peters’ humor is put on display. Note: the song and scene are both funny and catchy, and the tune may remain in one’s head for several days. Bob is booked for a week long tour, book signing, and to speak with famed self-help guru Blane Abernathy at a conference.

The trouble begins.

Bob is met at the airport by Greta Hagemann (Mareike Fell), who works for the publisher as a liaison for authors to make sure they get to where they need to be on time. She quickly goes from being uncomfortable to annoyed as Bob shares some of his many happy quotes with her. The next song, “I Wonder Where We’re Going,” begins with an interesting three way split screen of Bob, Greta, and the view from the car.

After a mix up at the hotel, Greta has already reached her breaking point and lets loose on Bob. She tells him exactly what she thinks of his book and his philosophies, and it is far from good.

From there, we’re taken along to a strip club, triathlon, book signing, conference, and many other places. We’re introduced to a wide range of characters, from Greta’s angry wannabe rock star boyfriend Andreas (Marek Harloff), to Bob’s one and only truly devoted fan (Bela B. Felsenheimer), to the motivational guru Blane Abernathy (Stephen Israel) whose motives are not so altruistic when viewed close up, and then some.

Through their travels, we see how people create the world around them more on attitude that circumstance, more on perception than reality. Bob is determined to be positive, but in a mess of negative and phony people, it becomes tougher and tougher to be so. Greta is conversely determined to be miserable and angry, but with Bob’s constant one man cheering section, she finds that more and more difficult to achieve.

Very clever and dynamic editing keeps the pace of this film very high. A few key scenes were edited so well that they can’t be called less than genius. In particular, the night club argument scene and aftermath, and the irony drawn out with Greta’s friend as he drives Greta and Bob to the strip club. The reality of the characters and the seamless flow of the scenes make it difficult to believe that this film was loosely scripted.

The songs in the film are outstanding and moving, and could easily stand alone as popular folk/pop sings. If this film does make it big, the soundtrack will no doubt be a hit.

Peters acting is top notch. His expressions and delivery of innocent little side comments provided for countless laughs. How the other actors kept from laughing is a wonder. Particularly Fell, whose almost constant pained expression let the audience know that she is unbearably miserable. All of the actors were so true to their characters that the film was believable in its entirety. The camera work and editing were creative and different, yet professional. No easy task with a documentary style film to say the least.

I really loved this film. I don't even like musicals or mockumentaries, but Half Empty is definitely an exception.

This film is all the things that the bigwigs go for…it’s endearing, sweet, hilarious, and very well put together. No scene or emotion is forced, and there’s even a big lesson to be learned in the end. You can read about happiness in a book, or a song, or be told about it by another person, but until you want it, it will escape you. If all you want is happiness, mountains become hills and "set backs become opportunities." Half Empty is a wonderful film that I highly recommend everyone sees and enjoys. We need more films like this one.

Source - efilmcritic.com

Half Empty is wholly unique

By LOUIS B. PARKS
April 28, 2006, 1:04PM
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle

Rare indeed is a film with a unique vision. Half Empty is a comedy. It's also kind of a musical. But it's not like any musical comedy Hollywood made. This is a cousin of those Christopher Guest films (Best in Show, A Mighty Wind) but a little more understated.

Bob Patterson (Robert Peters, who also directed, co-scripted and co-wrote several of the songs) is a bottom-rung happiness counselor and motivational speaker. He's so upbeat we'd hate him if he weren't so darn sincere. He constantly scribbles his insights on file cards. "There is no failure, except no longer trying." "It just takes one person to make a difference." "Nothing's impossible to a willing heart."

When his attractive girlfriend abruptly dumps him, Bob reacts with a pleasant, "OK. Do you want me to give you a ride somewhere?" Bob sees a half-empty glass as full.

His publicists inform him that his be-happy book is a hit in Germany (song: You're Big in Deutschland). But in Germany, his book-tour guide, Greta, tells him he's an idiot. "This whole American philosophy about happiness, I'm sorry, I don't buy it."

The book tour is a disaster, but Bob seems unfazed. What does bother him is that people don't care about each other and that Greta's boyfriend mistreats her.

Songs pop up at weird times. A group of Germans in a men's toilet sing about girlfriend problems to a country-music beat. Some songs are clever, others not, but that's fine since the singers don't pretend they can sing. There's no dancing, no big, predictable strings.

Here's the thing: Half Empty never hints it isn't serious. There are no jokes. Yet it is funny and strangely endearing. Peters (Everwood, Angel) and Mareike Fell, who plays Greta, grow on you. The complete sincerity of the performances and the immediacy of the hand-held camera work make the characters seem real. Even when singing.

Source - chron.com

Review Summary

Prolific actor Robert Peters (Ocean's Eleven, Catch Me If You Can) makes his feature directorial debut with this musical romantic comedy about an optimistic "happiness counselor" named Bob who falls head over heels in love with his cynical handler Greta. Bob has just penned a self-help book that sold a meager one copy in the entirety of the United States, yet the eternal optimist is quick to note that he's a big hit in Deutschland. Now, as bob straps on his guitar and boards a plan bound for Germany with his handler Greta, an intellectual realist who refuses to see the world though rose tinted glasses, these two polar opposites are about to discover that opposites really do attract.

New York Times