I agree with everyone that Adam McKay was probably the wrong person to helm this project. Someone who better understands understatement—I’m thinking of Sidney Lumet and Paddy Chayefsky—could have made this is a more moving experience; the over-the-top performances, garish editing, and loud messaging, not to mention way much screen time for Ariana Grande, really get in the way of an otherwise good movie.
Nonetheless, despite the fact that this movie leaves a lot to be desired, I enjoyed for what it is. More importantly, I’m glad that at least someone made it. I’m just not that glad that McKay was that someone.