The movie wasn't funny. I thought it was a comedy but didn't laugh even once. Maybe a smile when the Devil tries to cheat at chess. And a smile for the ending, which is the only thing I liked.
The jokes weren't funny. As usual in US American movies, "humor" is based on embarrassment: either the characters are shamed and embarrassed by other characters, or they behave in ridiculous, embarrassing ways. I was cringing the whole time from vicarious embarrassment.
Elliot wasn't a likable character. If he had been shy, socially awkward, and likable, it would have worked better. But he was just obnoxious and not likable at all. He also didn't learn anything from his mistakes in wish-choosing and wish-formulating, which made him appear dumb. Any character growth we see is artificial. Nothing in the fulfillment of the wishes gives him any actual reason to grow.
The Devil was flat and wooden and lacked charisma.
The whole movie was just boring and dumb. After a while, I started fast forwarding through it just to know how it would end.
Elliot's last wish wasn't truly selfless and redemptive. It's not like Allison's happiness was what he most wanted in the whole world from the bottom of his heart, so he gave up one of his wishes for her. In fact, he really didn't want any more wishes anyway, so when the Devil forced him to make one, he just picked this. I don't feel it truly counts.
Also, I don't understand why everybody seems to assume that the cellmate was an angel. It wasn't an angel. It was God. Elliot wanted to talk to God in person, right? His wish was granted (wink wink). In the end, the Devil plays chess with God. Very symbolic.
The jokes weren't funny. As usual in US American movies, "humor" is based on embarrassment: either the characters are shamed and embarrassed by other characters, or they behave in ridiculous, embarrassing ways. I was cringing the whole time from vicarious embarrassment.
Elliot wasn't a likable character. If he had been shy, socially awkward, and likable, it would have worked better. But he was just obnoxious and not likable at all. He also didn't learn anything from his mistakes in wish-choosing and wish-formulating, which made him appear dumb. Any character growth we see is artificial. Nothing in the fulfillment of the wishes gives him any actual reason to grow.
The Devil was flat and wooden and lacked charisma.
The whole movie was just boring and dumb. After a while, I started fast forwarding through it just to know how it would end.
Elliot's last wish wasn't truly selfless and redemptive. It's not like Allison's happiness was what he most wanted in the whole world from the bottom of his heart, so he gave up one of his wishes for her. In fact, he really didn't want any more wishes anyway, so when the Devil forced him to make one, he just picked this. I don't feel it truly counts.
Also, I don't understand why everybody seems to assume that the cellmate was an angel. It wasn't an angel. It was God. Elliot wanted to talk to God in person, right? His wish was granted (wink wink). In the end, the Devil plays chess with God. Very symbolic.