While the movie had a interesting concept, it fell short of greatness. The technique of leaving the audience wondering what's real and what's in the protagonist's head was compelling. Unfortunately, the ending felt rushed and didn't quite stick the landing. Was it just me, or did the soundtrack not fit with the movie? It completely failed to complement the movie's tone and flow.

Fun idea, that never goes big enough. Jake Johnson’s good as the lead and there are definitely a few laughs here and there. It just left me wanting more and feeling little bit unsatisfied. The crew members were a funny touch.

A fun premise with some decent ideas that doesn’t live up to its own potential

Self Reliance is a strange comedy, the kind that begins with a fairly original idea and then does not always seem completely sure how far it wants to take it. An ordinary, somewhat faded man is given the chance to take part in an absurd game: if he survives for a month without ever being completely alone, he can win one million dollars. The problem is that nobody around him believes him. And that is where the best part of the film lies: in its mixture of paranoia, loneliness, awkward humor and desperate need for company. Jake Johnson works very well because this kind of character fits him perfectly. He has that way of seeming lost, tired and funny without forcing it too much. His Tommy is not exactly in danger all the time, but he is trapped in a life that feels sad, still and disconnected. The film uses the game premise to talk, without becoming too serious, about something very recognizable: how easy it is to isolate yourself and how hard it can be to ask for help or simply be with someone. The cast also helps a lot. Anna Kendrick, Andy Samberg, Natalie Morales, Mary Holland, Emily Hampshire and Christopher Lloyd bring that slightly offbeat comic tone without turning everything into obvious jokes. There is a pleasant naturalness to the actors, as if they all understand that the film has to be absurd, but not too exaggerated. That balance is what makes it easy to watch. The starting idea is very good. It has something of a thriller, something of a survival game, something of an odd romantic comedy and something of an indie film about emotionally stuck people. And the best thing is that it can appeal to more people than one might expect from the plot. It is not a film only for fans of strange comedy. It has an accessible, likable and even tender side that makes it easier to enjoy. Still, it does not fully make the most of its premise. While watching Self Reliance, you can imagine several stronger films coming from the same idea: a darker one, a wilder one, a more romantic one, or one more focused on reality shows and digital spectacle. The film chooses a kinder, smaller path, and that gives it charm, but it also limits the result. In its final stretch it loses some strength and leaves the feeling that it could have pushed further. Even so, it is refreshing to see a film trying something different. It is not a perfect comedy, but it has personality, good actors and a premise that catches your attention from the start. It is funny without shouting too much, and beneath the oddness there is a nice idea about human connection. In the end, the game is not so much about surviving hunters as it is about realizing that being alone all the time may not have been such a good way to live. Self Reliance is small, uneven and a little underused, but also likable, original and easy to watch. A strange comedy that is more enjoyable than expected, precisely because beneath its absurd setup there is something quite human. It is not a great film, but it can be watched very comfortably.

If all I have to do is get hunted for sport in order to hang out with Anna Kendrick for 2 weeks and never be able to leave her side, sign me up. The movie was fine, but the ending seemed kind of rushed and there wasn't much payoff. Still a decent watch though, so if you're interested, go ahead and check it out.