Renner is a genius with code, but an idiot when it comes to human relations. He is emotionally stunted, introverted, and obsessive compulsive. His invention, Salenus, coaches him to be more confident and assertive, but it will take a lot of work. However, the process gets a jump-start when Jamie moves in across the hall. Despite his awkward social skills, she is friendly and patient with Renner.
Her deadbeat brother Chad is a different matter. His passive aggression grows increasingly aggressive. Salenus is less than supportive of Renner’s courtship as well. She becomes downright rude and insulting when addressing Jamie and even starts to lie and deceive Renner.
Arguably, Frankie Muniz delivers one of the best performances of his career in a film that never comes close to deserving it. Every twist is blatantly obvious. In fact, just about every plot-point requires appalling levels of stupidity and negligence.
Nevertheless, Muniz really delves into Renner’s neurotic self-loathing, taking viewers to some very dark places. Sometimes, he is painful to watch, for the right reasons. The rest of the film can be painful for the wrong reasons.
The timing was ripe for Renner, arriving in the wake of the Deep Seek brouhaha, but the screenplay is not smart enough to convert on the opportunity. Muniz’s fully committed comeback performance gets wasted as a result. Not recommended, Renner opens today (2/7) at the AMC Palisades in Rockland County.
