Paula's Soapbox

Let me preface this by saying that I really, really wanted to like this film. In fact I was certain I would after watching the trailer. Aside from the talented cast of former soap stars and veteran actors, the premise of the film seemed fresh, funny, and original, a rarity by today's standards. The problem with Excuse Me for Living is that it feels unfinished. Watching it was a little like looking at a puzzle that's incomplete. All of the pieces are there, but no picture has been formed. Most of the characters needed more depth. There were glimpses of this throughout the film but nothing ever really materialized. For instance, I needed a better reason for Dan's (Tom Pelphrey) drug use than the fact that his friends got him hooked. In addition I did not find it believable that his friends would purposely keep him addicted to drugs out of sheer jealousy. I think the story would have been better served if Dan had just been an overindulged celebrity, whose drug problem was fu...