The movie devolves into a series of increasingly pat, ill-thought-out setpieces, presided over by a hero who can’t really sell sincerity while he’s sporting three-day stubble and a massive jewfro.
1 Comment
03/19/09
Rate this Movie 
Skills Like This (2009)
58
%
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work
Reviews Counted:26
Fresh:15
Rotten:11
Average Rating:5.8/10
Consensus: Though Skills Like This has little to distinguish, director Monty Miranda shows flashes of wit and talent.
Theatrical Release:Mar 20, 2009 Limited
Synopsis: An indie festival-circuit favorite, SKILLS LIKE THIS follows struggling writer Max (Spencer Berger) into a life of crime. He finds robbery to be his true calling after his play, THE ONION DANCE,... [More]
Starring: Spencer Berger, Gabriel Tigerman, Brian D. Phelan, Kerry Knuppe
Director: Monty Miranda
Get This Movie
Rent DVD
Click on the "ADD" button to put this movie into your Netflix queue.
Buy DVD
Reviews for Skills Like This
It works here, however, thanks largely to the strength of Berger’s performance and the way the movie’s familiar “follow your heart” message is diluted by a goofy subplot involving David trying to help Tom find gainful employment.
03/30/09
Berger appears to be a potential breakout talent, turning a character who could be endlessly irritating into an oddly charming, self-effacing rogue.
03/30/09
Top CriticDespite stylish editing, lively performances and some effervescent dialogue, Skills Like This eventually becomes insipid, tedious, inane and a bit lackluster.
03/21/09
It'll be intriguing to see where Miranda goes from here.
05/08/09
A quirky little film that relies heavily on charm to make up for some rather glaring flaws in story, pacing and character. Fortunately, it has charm to spare.
04/01/09
Adding to the glut of slacker-loser comedies, Skills Like This isn't particularly good or bad, just very average.
03/19/09
Begins with an outrageous concept and takes it to the -- pun definitely intended -- max.
06/15/09
Skills Like This gazes indulgently on 20-something aimlessness and the comfort of assigned roles. In Mr. Miranda’s hands sloth can be more appealing than you might think.
03/20/09
Top CriticThe casting is unique, the acting able, and the camera work expert.
03/30/09
The movie is so well made that it’s hard not to like this often funny movie regardless whether one takes the story too seriously.
04/01/09
Monty Miranda’s fantasy for slackers sometimes slips into toilet-humor stupidity, but thanks to a knack for ingenious absurdity, Skills Like These is just ridiculous enough to be charming.
03/18/09
As charming an offbeat romantic comedy as anybody could hope to make on a micro-budget.
03/26/09
Director Miranda shows real skill here.
04/17/09
It almost works, too, though ultimately this visually splendid but sluggish story of a twentysomething would-be writer and his impulsive, overnight career as a bank and convenience-store robber takes the money and runs nowhere.
04/17/09
SKILLS LIKE THIS has a lot to offer, reminding us of the adage that the cheapest way to improve a film is with solid writing.
03/10/09
The writing is economically witty.
03/20/09
The film's portrait of bank-robbing as a solution to twentysomething aimlessness seems quaint when viewed through the filter of today's economic hardships.
03/16/09
This likable indie comedy fails to completely get off the ground.
03/20/09
Energetic if incoherent.
04/03/09
Top CriticLatest News for Skills Like This
March 19, 2009:
Critics Consensus: I Love You, Man Is A Fine Bromance
This week at the movies, we've got a bromantic comedy (I Love You, Man, starring Paul Rudd and Jason Segel), ominous numerology (Knowing, starring Nicolas Cage and Rose Byrne),... More...
February 15, 2009:
Trailer & Poster review 
More...
RT On Current TV
What’s Hot On RT
Fresh Links
Featured
Wes Anderson on Fox
The director talks about puppetry perfection and his film, Fantastic Mr. Fox
Animated Oscar?
Hollywood.com ponders whether or not an animated film could win Best Picture.
TIME's Holiday Movie Preview
Richard Corliss previews the season's best offerings and hottest tickets.
Scenic Routes
The AV Club's Mike D'Angelo airs his beefs with Alfonso Cuaron's Children of Men.
Promos
Follow RT on Twitter
Get the latest Tomatometer updates on upcoming movies!
IGN RSS Feeds