An irascible curmudgeon, Jacques (Brian Cox/Bourne Identity), owns a rather unique bar, a dusty hole in the wall that he created as a male sanctuary. No women, no walk-ins, no frills. If you’re not invited, you’re not welcome. Seems he’s dying and, after his fifth heart-attack, he seeks someone to whom he can give the bar, someone to replace him. He finds a malleable spirit in Lucas (Paul Dano/Little Miss Sunshine), a man who was recovering from a recent suicide, and the journey begins.
Cox was believably brilliant as the chain-smoking, foul mouth soul, desperately in need of humanity, but so determined not to show it. Bouncing off that granite personae was Dano, the gentle, though confused young Lucas who is seeking a reason to live. Gradually he emerges from his own emotional caverns and energizes those around him, much to the frustration of Jacques.
The film was dark, with bits of humor here and there. Many can relate to the characters having Jacques or two in our lives. The film was oddly satisfying, the ebb and flow of characters and dialogue were appealing. Some events were obvious, some were not, but overall, it was a good ride.