19 reviews
Lead actor Sean Bean was about 55 when this film was made. He would not have been a boxer just prior to jail 12 years ago. How many white 43 year old boxers are there in L.A.? Why did they pick a 55 year old British Guy to play an American former boxer, who still has boxing in his life? Why not choose an American actor 43, who was 31 before jail? Having said that, yes of course Bean did an admirable job with his role.
I think they gave both him and his sister European names, to partially explain away his seemingly non-American quality.
Well, the reviews were pretty brutal on this one, and I understand why, but it had plenty going for it too. I have no idea what part of L.A. they used, but they managed to find a white working class area not far from open space. Where is that? White working class stories have not taken place in an L.A. setting since Karate Kid. Anyways, good photography and atmosphere.
The Indie music was moody and memorable. Looks like the main singer was born in Germany but sings Americana folk. That was refreshing.
At first I thought the kid was the worst actor on the planet, but then I sort of got why he played such a robotic innocent. He was the counter to his uncle's jaded soul. I do totally see why the kid would run into trouble and tragedy, because he had no father and was not taught to keep his guard up. He went about his day in innocence and stuff happened. Later we are to consider that a virtue.
My favorite part of the movie by far was the interaction between Tom Arnold's character and our lead. I totally believed that. There are many guys like Arnold's character. I mean average Joes who screw up a lot, never fully grew up, but have some genuine goodness in them. They usually find kindred spirits to hang out with.
Would someone like Eva Longoria's character let a guy 16 years her senior pick her up in a supermarket parking lot after desperately asking for her phone number multiple times? I know that everyone says no, but I say yes. She saw that he was family-oriented, playing with his nephew, and that he had a shyness mixed with machismo. Women go for that.
There is no mention of Jesus. But the writers slipped in some super awkward religious messages toward the end while purposely not fully explaining. I think the message was that redemption requires effort, resolve, and faith. Most of our lead's cohorts stuck by him, despite his multiple screw-ups. Ultimately, even his abusive dead father redeems things.
The story runs super slow, so be prepared for that. Bean's non-American style and awkward age that does not fit the role, will make you squirm. Throw in the even more awkward spiritual ambiguity, and I'll give you credit if you don't hate it. I did not. I actually liked it.
I think they gave both him and his sister European names, to partially explain away his seemingly non-American quality.
Well, the reviews were pretty brutal on this one, and I understand why, but it had plenty going for it too. I have no idea what part of L.A. they used, but they managed to find a white working class area not far from open space. Where is that? White working class stories have not taken place in an L.A. setting since Karate Kid. Anyways, good photography and atmosphere.
The Indie music was moody and memorable. Looks like the main singer was born in Germany but sings Americana folk. That was refreshing.
At first I thought the kid was the worst actor on the planet, but then I sort of got why he played such a robotic innocent. He was the counter to his uncle's jaded soul. I do totally see why the kid would run into trouble and tragedy, because he had no father and was not taught to keep his guard up. He went about his day in innocence and stuff happened. Later we are to consider that a virtue.
My favorite part of the movie by far was the interaction between Tom Arnold's character and our lead. I totally believed that. There are many guys like Arnold's character. I mean average Joes who screw up a lot, never fully grew up, but have some genuine goodness in them. They usually find kindred spirits to hang out with.
Would someone like Eva Longoria's character let a guy 16 years her senior pick her up in a supermarket parking lot after desperately asking for her phone number multiple times? I know that everyone says no, but I say yes. She saw that he was family-oriented, playing with his nephew, and that he had a shyness mixed with machismo. Women go for that.
There is no mention of Jesus. But the writers slipped in some super awkward religious messages toward the end while purposely not fully explaining. I think the message was that redemption requires effort, resolve, and faith. Most of our lead's cohorts stuck by him, despite his multiple screw-ups. Ultimately, even his abusive dead father redeems things.
The story runs super slow, so be prepared for that. Bean's non-American style and awkward age that does not fit the role, will make you squirm. Throw in the even more awkward spiritual ambiguity, and I'll give you credit if you don't hate it. I did not. I actually liked it.
Normally, I'd hesitate to review a film like Any Day. After all, I really don't recommend you watch it because the ending will most likely annoy you and let you down. But the first 80% of the film is so good and shows so much promise and I do want to see more from these folks.
Sean Bean plays Vian, an angry man who just spend 12 years in prison for beating a man to death in a fight. Now he has no place to live, no job and no prospects. His only family, his sister is afraid to allow him back in their lives--especially since she has a young son. Despite her better judgment, she does allow him to stay...provided he never drink and gets his life together. Through much of the film, Vian works hard to have a semblance of a life and you really pull for him. After all, the character is well written and Bean and the rest of the cast did a great job. Unfortunately, what follows REALLY frustrated me...with an unnecessary and unbelievable twist that most likely will leave the audience frustrated for buying into the film and pulling for the guy. I would say more, but it would give away too much of the plot.
On the plus side, the directing is wonderful--very stark but never boring and well-paced. The acting, also, is terrific as is the music--which is often haunting. But it really looks like they didn't know how to end this one. One thing for sure, they made the wrong choices and the movie left me and my wife wondering what could have been had they known where to take it. It's all a shame, as if it had been written well throughout the film, I would have given this one an A-. It DOES have a lot going for it despite it's ending and crazy plot twist.
Sean Bean plays Vian, an angry man who just spend 12 years in prison for beating a man to death in a fight. Now he has no place to live, no job and no prospects. His only family, his sister is afraid to allow him back in their lives--especially since she has a young son. Despite her better judgment, she does allow him to stay...provided he never drink and gets his life together. Through much of the film, Vian works hard to have a semblance of a life and you really pull for him. After all, the character is well written and Bean and the rest of the cast did a great job. Unfortunately, what follows REALLY frustrated me...with an unnecessary and unbelievable twist that most likely will leave the audience frustrated for buying into the film and pulling for the guy. I would say more, but it would give away too much of the plot.
On the plus side, the directing is wonderful--very stark but never boring and well-paced. The acting, also, is terrific as is the music--which is often haunting. But it really looks like they didn't know how to end this one. One thing for sure, they made the wrong choices and the movie left me and my wife wondering what could have been had they known where to take it. It's all a shame, as if it had been written well throughout the film, I would have given this one an A-. It DOES have a lot going for it despite it's ending and crazy plot twist.
- planktonrules
- Aug 11, 2015
- Permalink
An amiable and well filmed drama that shares all the common qualities of an above average TV movie, Any Day is a perfectly enjoyable movie that is elevated by the presence of well-known face Sean Bean, who saves Any Day from becoming a cringe worthy tale in its questionable third act.
With a faith tinged core and a focus on finding ones purpose in life, director Rustam Branaman treads a well-worn path of redemption in this story of boxer turned prison inmate Vian and his eventual journey back into every day normal life, but he tells it in a way that keeps things ticking along even if the pace at times grinds to a halt thanks to extremely over the top scenes. Vian also isn't what you'd call a completely likable figure and his short fussed temper shows up a man that is inwardly tormented but there's enough humanity to make him a man we want the best for, helped by Bean's solid work.
For fans of Bean's career I can say he thankfully survives this ordeal so Any Day won't be showing up on Bean's death list any time soon and it's another turn that shows us all his an actor that can disappear into any role. His by far the standout performer here and shares some nice moments with the near unrecognisable Tom Arnold but the rest of the cast struggle to make much of a mark with the slumming it Eva Longoria barely registering and Kate Walsh struggling with some of the films more weighty moments.
Any Day feels quite familiar yet there's enough here to give it its own personality and some nice surprises keep you on your toes even though the films last 15 – 20 minutes are horribly misjudged. For fans of Sean Bean in particular, this is a low key drama that's well worth a watch and much more enjoyable than many of its far more well-known counterparts.
2 and a half dropped pizzas out of 5
For more movie reviews and opinions check into -
www.jordanandeddie.wordpress.com
With a faith tinged core and a focus on finding ones purpose in life, director Rustam Branaman treads a well-worn path of redemption in this story of boxer turned prison inmate Vian and his eventual journey back into every day normal life, but he tells it in a way that keeps things ticking along even if the pace at times grinds to a halt thanks to extremely over the top scenes. Vian also isn't what you'd call a completely likable figure and his short fussed temper shows up a man that is inwardly tormented but there's enough humanity to make him a man we want the best for, helped by Bean's solid work.
For fans of Bean's career I can say he thankfully survives this ordeal so Any Day won't be showing up on Bean's death list any time soon and it's another turn that shows us all his an actor that can disappear into any role. His by far the standout performer here and shares some nice moments with the near unrecognisable Tom Arnold but the rest of the cast struggle to make much of a mark with the slumming it Eva Longoria barely registering and Kate Walsh struggling with some of the films more weighty moments.
Any Day feels quite familiar yet there's enough here to give it its own personality and some nice surprises keep you on your toes even though the films last 15 – 20 minutes are horribly misjudged. For fans of Sean Bean in particular, this is a low key drama that's well worth a watch and much more enjoyable than many of its far more well-known counterparts.
2 and a half dropped pizzas out of 5
For more movie reviews and opinions check into -
www.jordanandeddie.wordpress.com
- eddie_baggins
- May 20, 2015
- Permalink
"Any Day" (2015 release; 101 min.) brings the story of Vian (played by Sean Bean). As the movie opens and the opening credits roll, we see him at a party, drunk and getting into an argument with another guy. Vian, a professional boxer we later learn, ends up pummeling the guy to death (literally)and Vian is imprisoned. After the opening credits, we are informed that we are "Twelve Years Later" and Vian is released from jail. Not knowing where to go, he is turned away from his former boxing club and in desperation goes to his sister Bethley (played by Kate Walsh). She very reluctantly agrees to let him stay for two weeks at her house, as long as Vian doesn't booze. It's not long before we see Vian in the grocery store and getting to know Jolene (played by Eva Longoria), and he asks for her phone number right then and there. Along the way, Vian is also desperately looking for a job and catches a break when he gets a cooking job at a pizzeria managed by Roland (played by Tom Arnold). To tell you more would spoil your viewing experience, you'll just have to see for yourself how it all plays out.
Couple of comments: this movie is written and directed by Rustam Branaman, best known for his acting work in front of the camera. I can see the good intentions of this movie: tough guy with a good heart is re-entering society and really wants to do right this time around. Unfortunately, the scrip is incredibly weak and utterly predictable. There is no tension to speak of in the movie. Worse, the scenes where the emotions get high, are utterly unbelievable. As I was watching this, I felt sorry for the wasted talents of Eva Longoria. She looks utterly and completely lost in this movie. How did she end up in this mess? I admit I struggled to make it through the end of the movie but I somehow did. You don't have to suffer the same fate...
I saw this movie recently at the Silverspot Theater in Naples, FL, where a bunch of movies from the 2015 Palm Beach International Film Festival were featured. I had never heard of "Any Day" and literally took a chance on this, simply on the fact that Longoria is in this. I shouldn't have, and in all honesty, I cannot recommend this movie to anyone. Viewer beware!
Couple of comments: this movie is written and directed by Rustam Branaman, best known for his acting work in front of the camera. I can see the good intentions of this movie: tough guy with a good heart is re-entering society and really wants to do right this time around. Unfortunately, the scrip is incredibly weak and utterly predictable. There is no tension to speak of in the movie. Worse, the scenes where the emotions get high, are utterly unbelievable. As I was watching this, I felt sorry for the wasted talents of Eva Longoria. She looks utterly and completely lost in this movie. How did she end up in this mess? I admit I struggled to make it through the end of the movie but I somehow did. You don't have to suffer the same fate...
I saw this movie recently at the Silverspot Theater in Naples, FL, where a bunch of movies from the 2015 Palm Beach International Film Festival were featured. I had never heard of "Any Day" and literally took a chance on this, simply on the fact that Longoria is in this. I shouldn't have, and in all honesty, I cannot recommend this movie to anyone. Viewer beware!
- paul-allaer
- Mar 27, 2015
- Permalink
I spent 5 minutes of my life resetting my IMDb password to tell you that this is the most bizarre and stupidest movie I've ever seen. There is no defined tone. The protagonist is flat, flat, flat. This movie is whiter than the movie White Girls. What was going on in that house party / dance scene? just what. There is a scene transition every 30 seconds with the strangest music. The kid plays a robot playing a kid. I am so sorry for the people involved in this film. Someone did them very, very wrong. Of all the Sean Bean movies that he dies, his character survives this, but we'll see if his career does. I'm still just very confused about how this got made. Do people read scripts anymore?
- brandon-mcanally
- Jul 3, 2015
- Permalink
The cast is quite good - Sean Bean alone has the gravitas and the charisma to carry the whole thing. Having said that, the script lets him and the others down quite a bit. It is not just the cliches it serves and the predictability. It is the dialog and the situations too. But the actors make it almost work entirely, even if some situations seem and feel quite contrived to say the least.
Also the boy may not be the best choice. Now I'm not trying to put him down, but it felt like he was missing a few things to convey anything he was supposed to feel - or we were to detect him feeling. That may sound mean I guess, but he has pivotal role and I reckon some may feel even stronger about him than I do. Convenience aside this is decent overall I'd say
Also the boy may not be the best choice. Now I'm not trying to put him down, but it felt like he was missing a few things to convey anything he was supposed to feel - or we were to detect him feeling. That may sound mean I guess, but he has pivotal role and I reckon some may feel even stronger about him than I do. Convenience aside this is decent overall I'd say
An ex-boxer comes out of jail after 12 years and tries to re-build his life. It's a familiar tale but for a small film it does punch above it's weight for large periods.
It's all fairly low key apart from the final half hour but a decent cast make this fairly enjoyable. Sean Bean isn't the most versatile of actors but I thought he did a good job here showing a vulnerability he doesn't always get the chance to show. Eva Longaria also does a good job and the chemistry between her and Bean does a lot to drag the film along. Good support is provided by Tom Arnold and Kate Walsh and there is a promising performance by Nolan Gross as Beans young nephew.
Whilst this could have been annoyingly predictable a decent script makes this more interesting than expected. Although not without it's faults ( some of the scenes towards the end are a bit clumsy) I'm surprised that as it stands this has such a low rating 5.0 (651 votes). Based on that rating I wasn't expecting much but this was far more enjoyable than expected.
Well worth watching if you have a spare couple of hours to kill.
It's all fairly low key apart from the final half hour but a decent cast make this fairly enjoyable. Sean Bean isn't the most versatile of actors but I thought he did a good job here showing a vulnerability he doesn't always get the chance to show. Eva Longaria also does a good job and the chemistry between her and Bean does a lot to drag the film along. Good support is provided by Tom Arnold and Kate Walsh and there is a promising performance by Nolan Gross as Beans young nephew.
Whilst this could have been annoyingly predictable a decent script makes this more interesting than expected. Although not without it's faults ( some of the scenes towards the end are a bit clumsy) I'm surprised that as it stands this has such a low rating 5.0 (651 votes). Based on that rating I wasn't expecting much but this was far more enjoyable than expected.
Well worth watching if you have a spare couple of hours to kill.
- MattyGibbs
- Feb 15, 2016
- Permalink
I see why not everyone liked "Any Day" but I did personally find enough to like in it to merit a 5/10 rating. There was some good atmosphere, acting, and music which makes up for some of the hokey parts and the somewhat unsatisfying ending. I was hoping for a little more resolution at the end, but perhaps that's better than the film running on too long. I'd say it's worth watching for free on TV or streaming if you have the time, though I do like the four main actors to begin with. So, it's a decent B Indy film. Did IMDB increase the minimum review length? Now I need two paragraphs of text or something?
- ThomasColquith
- Sep 12, 2022
- Permalink
- nogodnomasters
- Aug 8, 2018
- Permalink
Sean Bean- I have to give credit as he is a sensational actor, and he was in this film too. He performed fantastically in his role, but it wasn't enough to make this anything other than a really crappy let-down of a film. And here we learn the importance of a good screenplay........
Three well known actors (and only one of them 'good' as far as I'm concerned) make up the leading roles in this movie but I'm worried that it only served to illustrate that they were only good in the roles they were most known for and have little else to offer? I'd hate for that to be true......... (I'm STILL not ready for Ned Stark to be dead.... I can't let it go..... :) :) :) ) I watched this movie while working on an art project but would never have been able to suffer through the entire thing if I wasn't otherwise occupied. Nothing redeemable about the film at all.
Don't bother....... just be sad with the rest of us that Ned Stark is gone........ no matter what Sean Bean appears in, it's never going to make that suck less. :)
Three well known actors (and only one of them 'good' as far as I'm concerned) make up the leading roles in this movie but I'm worried that it only served to illustrate that they were only good in the roles they were most known for and have little else to offer? I'd hate for that to be true......... (I'm STILL not ready for Ned Stark to be dead.... I can't let it go..... :) :) :) ) I watched this movie while working on an art project but would never have been able to suffer through the entire thing if I wasn't otherwise occupied. Nothing redeemable about the film at all.
Don't bother....... just be sad with the rest of us that Ned Stark is gone........ no matter what Sean Bean appears in, it's never going to make that suck less. :)
- mleighs-88269
- Aug 13, 2015
- Permalink
Fighting Demons starts out interestingly enough but quickly treads a well worn path and soon goes into heavy handedness and banality.
Sean Bean is Vian a former boxer released from 12 years in jail for beating a man to death. On his release, he is unwanted in his old boxing gym and his single mom sister reluctantly allows him to stay with her young son with the proviso that he does not drink and stays out of trouble.
Vian tries to pull his life back together as an ex-con, he gets a job in a diner, he gets on well with his boss (Tom Arnold) and even gets a girlfriend (Eva Longoria) who seems to be stalked by a rival suitor which the film never delves in.
Things seem to be going well, Vian get tempted to drink every now and then but he resists however his nephew is involved in an accident which causes distress, he falls out with his boss because Vian does want him to date his sister for no reason at all and his girlfriend finds out that he has done time.
The film also has some Christian spiritual undertones in the movie and it all dissipates with a weak finish about trying to find redemption for his crime.
As a minor low key film it is well acted although Sean Bean is clearly too old for his character.
Sean Bean is Vian a former boxer released from 12 years in jail for beating a man to death. On his release, he is unwanted in his old boxing gym and his single mom sister reluctantly allows him to stay with her young son with the proviso that he does not drink and stays out of trouble.
Vian tries to pull his life back together as an ex-con, he gets a job in a diner, he gets on well with his boss (Tom Arnold) and even gets a girlfriend (Eva Longoria) who seems to be stalked by a rival suitor which the film never delves in.
Things seem to be going well, Vian get tempted to drink every now and then but he resists however his nephew is involved in an accident which causes distress, he falls out with his boss because Vian does want him to date his sister for no reason at all and his girlfriend finds out that he has done time.
The film also has some Christian spiritual undertones in the movie and it all dissipates with a weak finish about trying to find redemption for his crime.
As a minor low key film it is well acted although Sean Bean is clearly too old for his character.
- Prismark10
- Feb 12, 2016
- Permalink
- bazzookabill
- Jan 28, 2016
- Permalink
I understand this was supposed to be a religious themed message movie, but this was borderline ridiculous. I have a lot of respect for Sean Bean and like most people was saddened and shocked at his early death in GOT. But what on earth drove him to accept this role? The budget for this movie was definitely less than $50k, and that includes the absolutely horrific script. The dialogue was comical, in that it was short, pointless and usually without any coherence to an actual plot. I get that Eva Longoria and Tom Arnold would take just about anything these days (and let's face it, for Arnold this is almost a step up in his acting career) but Bean is so much better than this. The boy had to be related to someone involved in the production because he clearly hadn't had an acting class before this mess. I have to state emphatically that this was one of the worst movies I've ever seen and I've seen more movies than many film critics. So congrats to the team for that at least.
- bc_global18
- Jun 26, 2023
- Permalink
After watching the first hour I knew I had to watch the rest because I needed to leave a review on IMDB. As my title states, I cannot believe that the fine actors in this movie agreed to do it (Bean, Longoria, the kids mom). Every scene seemed like it was the directors first movie. It seemed like a movie I would make if you made me make a movie right now (I have no background in film making). The dialogue was so basic. Sean Bean's character just keeps asking Longoria's for her number. "Can I have your number? . . Give me your number. . " over and over lol. Sean Bean from 12 years ago in the movie looks exactly like Sean Bean in the present. No make up used to seem like they tried. He was supposed to be younger and immature when he went to jail but he looked 58 going in and 58 coming out. It was a religious themed movie so maybe that is why the actors did it. I will say the last 30 minutes I was into it. I've seen these actors perform decently in other things so chalk it up to the script and the directing. It's almost worth the watch to laugh a bit.
- Theo Robertson
- Apr 11, 2015
- Permalink
I save one star reviews for movies that destroy the source material, like Episode 1 or Starship Troopers, so this is getting the lowest I can give.
This was colossally ham handed. Every part of it was sub-par, even the performances from otherwise decent actors, but the writing was probably the worst part of it.
Choppy, predictable, awkward, and fake. "I'ms sorry I was such a creep"
Okay, I understand not wanting to swear, and that this was targeted at a religious audience, but look at Napolean Dynamite; no swearing, and yet there was conflict. Or any well-written TV Drama. Or even any adequate TV Drama.
I have to give this review low marks, because I am just incapable of describing how bad this movie really was. I am begging you not to watch it. And I sat through Wesley Snipes' undead cowboy movie and came up with a reason it wasn't horrible.
Consider that the scale of this movie's badness.
This was colossally ham handed. Every part of it was sub-par, even the performances from otherwise decent actors, but the writing was probably the worst part of it.
Choppy, predictable, awkward, and fake. "I'ms sorry I was such a creep"
Okay, I understand not wanting to swear, and that this was targeted at a religious audience, but look at Napolean Dynamite; no swearing, and yet there was conflict. Or any well-written TV Drama. Or even any adequate TV Drama.
I have to give this review low marks, because I am just incapable of describing how bad this movie really was. I am begging you not to watch it. And I sat through Wesley Snipes' undead cowboy movie and came up with a reason it wasn't horrible.
Consider that the scale of this movie's badness.
- tonypeacock-1
- Nov 13, 2019
- Permalink