Better Living Through Chemistry 2014

Sara Stewart, New York Post: Every character is a pretty well-worn archetype, including Michelle Monaghan's uptight, exercise-obsessed wife. Read more

Rex Reed, New York Observer: The end result of this stoned-cold picnic is both haphazardly successful and somewhat disappointing, but it's worth seeing, thanks enormously to the tremendous charisma of Sam Rockwell. Read more

Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times: Too bad; with this cast, "Better Living Through Chemistry" could have been a lot more fun. Read more

Geoff Berkshire, Variety: Sam Rockwell's committed performance can't save the glib debut of filmmakers Geoff Moore and David Posamentier. Read more

Peter Keough, Boston Globe: Maybe writer-directors Geoff Moore and David Posamentier were sampling some of the mind-numbing products featured in their black comedy ... which might account for its lack of wit, imagination or other cerebral effort. Read more

Tom Long, Detroit News: By the time the film gets to its ridiculous stretch of an ending, we've all seen the great fun to be had with drugs while also learning of their danger. How convenient. How empty. Read more

Gary Goldstein, Los Angeles Times: A bit of a cheat - and goes soft in the clutch. Read more

Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger: "Better Living Through Chemistry" ... is too much like the pretty suburbs it was shot in - neat and slick and comfortable. But ultimately, and deliberately, safe. Read more

Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News: It's tough to feel pity for a guy who blames everyone else for his misery, and even harder to appreciate filmmakers who encourage his entitlement. Read more

Stephen Holden, New York Times: A tepid but pleasant comic satire given a shot of contemporaneity by its writing and directing team, Geoff Moore and David Posamentier, and its star Sam Rockwell. Read more

Tirdad Derakhshani, Philadelphia Inquirer: An ill-conceived if mildly amusing comedy about middle-class ennui, sexual frustration, and drug abuse. Read more

Christy Lemire, RogerEbert.com: "Better Living Through Chemistry" as a whole feels rather superficial and safe. Read more

G. Allen Johnson, San Francisco Chronicle: "Better Living Through Chemistry" does have its moments, and there are quite a few laughs. It tries too hard, but at least it's trying. Read more

Inkoo Kang, Village Voice: A droll but unsatisfying film ... Read more