Sympathy for Delicious (2011)
Average Rating: 4.9/10
Reviews Counted: 24
Fresh: 7 | Rotten: 17
No consensus yet.
Average Rating: 5.2/10
Critic Reviews: 12
Fresh: 4 | Rotten: 8
No consensus yet.
liked it
Average Rating: 2.9/5
User Ratings: 1,739
My Rating
Movie Info
SYMPATHY FOR DELICIOUS marks acclaimed actor Mark Ruffalo's first foray into directing. This inspired and unusual film tells the story of Dean O'Dwyer (Christopher Thornton), also known as "Delicious D," an up-and-coming DJ on the underground music scene in Los Angeles. When a motorcycle accident leaves Dean paralyzed, he abandons his turntables for a wheelchair as his once promising career disappears before his eyes. Forced to live out of his car on skid row, Dean begins his descent into
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Cast
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Mark Ruffalo
Father Joe -
Christopher Thornton
"Delicious" Dean O'Dwye... -
Orlando Bloom
The Stain -
Juliette Lewis
Ariel -
Laura Linney
Nina Hogue -
Noah Emmerich
Rene Faubacher -
Dov Tiefenbach
Oogie -
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Sympathy for Delicious Trailer & Photos
All Critics (24) | Top Critics (12) | Fresh (7) | Rotten (17) | DVD (2)
You can't make this stuff up. Or maybe you can, but you shouldn't.
Top CriticMark Ruffalo is one of the best actors of his generation, and I'd like to be able to say that, with his directorial debut, Sympathy for Delicious, he's one of its best filmmakers, too. Alas, this semiexpressionist fantasia is a botch.
While, as director, Ruffalo is a little too fond of hand-held shots, he keeps all the performances simmering and moves the story ahead in simple, straightforward steps.
Interesting but never compelling...
As it builds, kind of epically, to a thoughtful conclusion, "Sympathy" appreciates the places we find after defeating our demons.
Despite the powerful sense of place, "Sympathy for Delicious" unwinds a narrative thread that grows increasingly tattered and flimsy.
The movie presents its premise in a somewhat intriguingly unprepossessing way, but abandons any deeper exploration of its crisis of faith or, indeed, just human existence -- all to hopelessly middling effect.
The script would have better served the character of Delicious if his powers were "scientifically" explained.
Good intentions and poor execution.
Once we get to the trial that kind of dominates the later part of the movie, I think it comes back and it refocuses on this dynamic between Thornton and Ruffalo who are incedently really good together.
Scattered drama about faith and poverty is intense.
Mark Ruffalo only gave himself a small part in his directorial debut, but his absence behind the camera is more keenly felt.
Messy, far-fetched rock drama with religious vibes, about a former DJ on L.A.'s skid row who emerges a healer, will go straight to the cut-out bin.
The spiritual journey of a disabled turntable dj with a gift of healing from Skid Row to megabuck success as a member of a heavy metal band.
On odd mishmash that leads to some headscratchingly bizarre moments, while ultimately skirting incoherence of purpose.
Audience Reviews for Sympathy for Delicious
Super Reviewer
Director:Mark Ruffalo
Summary: Struggling for survival on the rough streets of Los Angeles, newly paralyzed DJ "Delicious" Dean O'Dwyer gains the supernatural ability to heal the sick. But he uses the gift to capitalize on his dreams of rock success in this offbeat drama. Written by Thornton, Mark Ruffalo's directorial debut also stars Orlando Bloom as the front man of a rock band and Laura Linney as the group's persistent manager.
My Thoughts: "I wish I could say I loved the film and that Mark Ruffalo did an amazing job at directing. But I just didn't care for the movie or it's character's. The directing was a bit shaky. It wasn't bad but it wasn't great either. I know this story has to do with what Mark's friend Chris kind of went through with trying healing techniques. Orlando Bloom wasn't at all impressive in this role. I'm not sure if it was his acting or the character. I liked Juliette Lewis in this. The story just doesn't play out well. It was just OK and I wish I could say some positive things about the film since I am a big fan of Mark's, but honestly the film fell flat as well as the acting."
Super Reviewer
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- Father Joe: You're down here living in a car when you don't have to be.
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- Father Joe: All I know is that you abandoned those to people when they needed you.
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