(2nd viewing) Penn plays a miserable drag and gets away with it. It doesn't seem to have a leg to stand on but it travels places other films wouldn't even have the balls to. Down earth, touching and rewarding, with some nice imagery to spare; If this is what you're looking for, you've come to the right place (no pun intended). I did have to miss a minute during my 1st viewing because of my demanding bladder. Have been giving it the silent treatment ever since, that'll teach it.

Sean Penn as a kind of burnt-out rocker version of Forrest Gump. Everything happens to him and then he goes on a Nazi hunt, meeting every type of person on the road. It's a baffling mess of mushy, gushy little melodramas, smarty platitudes out of motivational plaques, and the occasional lame stab at comedy. A cameo of David Byrne performing the title song is the only really good bit in the entire movie.

It's not a 'great' film and the reasons are plentiful. The acting is terrific but the characters are quite dull. A similar thing happens with the music (which obviously carries an important role with Cheyenne being an ex pop-star): the songs themselves are great and suit the vibe but they're played over and over. I simply expected more. Final verdict: Not memorable were it not redeemed by the fine imagery and camerawork.

6-5-2012 plaza Story often goes nowhere, but path taken is amusing.

I'm not sure what to make of the story, but the film is sold well by Penn who owns his character and makes the journey worth watching. Although I believe many actors these days are well instructed on how to portray the best facial expressions when watching an old lady guzzling juice from the carton while a goose is pecking at your arm, I'd easily rank Penn's in the top 5.

Loved it.

Though it has an overwhelming number of great scenes it has to many places it wants to go, and when finally goes somewhere, you kinda wish it had gone somewhere else. Still good, and with a powerhouse perfomance by Penn...

Penn is awesome, even though his character is not. Well directed, poorly written.

Not a movie I would have expected from Sorrentino in a thousand years. Even comparing it to other quirky road movies with weirdo middle-aged guy protagonist this film is mediocre. Story often feels disjointed and doesn't go anywhere. Very disappointing ending. Sorrentino has an eye for composition and a sense for style, no doubt. Nice dialogues, more funny than 'deep' or 'philosophical', but along with Penn's character they made me chuckle.