The chemistry between Mickey Rourke and Nat Wolff felt genuine and was embracing. I found myself smiling and wished the MRI inside the basement was a second opinion and Mickey wasn't dying. Quite a balancing act achieved considering several life altering themes throughout the film. I then hoped he would pull out a gun and eliminate his assassins. The high school teacher Mr. Mark kept delivering great lines like Kubricks characters in Dr Strangelove, Major King Kong , the cowboy riding a nuclear bomb and George C Scott as General Buck Turgidson. Dark comedy done with great style and pulled off by great acting from Mickey and Nat. Best performance yet by Mickey Rourke.

I started watching this movie not expecting much, and got something unique for my efforts. While the story seems a little dated, the acting is actually quite good. Emma Roberts and Sara Silverman do excellent jobs in their supporting roles, while Mickey Rourke steals pretty much every scene he is in. It all makes for a pretty good watch.What this is not is a movie about a spy. This is a movie about a kid (Nat Wolff) who needs a little old-school guidance to grow up, and gets it in spades when he makes himself a part of Ashby's (Rourke) life. This will not be one of those movies that people talk about in 20 years, but it does its job for today, so if you can't figure out what to watch tonight, giver it a shot. You might be surprised.8/10 - Because the movie has heart, with a hint of attitude, yet doesn't trip over itself with the spy angle like most of these kinds of films would.

One of those second-string Hollywood efforts of the "artiste' vein where the writer and director are one and the same.Sometime these things take wings and fly (look at THE BIG SHORT where McKay also does double duty) and sometimes they end up in the dustbin of history as merely an interesting effort Not for want of trying. The supporting cast practically picks this film up and carries it on their backs. Rourke is as far from THE WRESTLER as the earth is from the moon, he looks and acts like his own grandfather. Roberts is given very little dialog but presents her character well. Silverman steals every scene she is in, with perfect timing and a twinkle.But you have to choose, get a copy of St. Vincent.

Geetings from Lithuania."Ashby" (2015) is a bit predictable yet enjoyable little flick. The story is not fresh, but there are some welcome surprises, although there aren't much of them (and don't want spoil them), they still are welcome. Mickey Rourke III (i started to call him III because this movie features the 3rd Mickey Rourke's face (and hopefully the last) in his life). Although face is new, acting doesn't changed (just don't compare anything he is ever done with "The Wrestler", because there is a performance in "The Wrestler" and in "everything else"). I did like his acting in "Ashby", but he is more of a screen presence in here, although there are some good dramatic moments near the end. Other were pretty OK. Isn't Emma Roberts a bit to old to play school student?Overall, "Ashby" is enjoyable coming of age story with some predictable and sweet romance and with some unlikely hero figure. Pacing is good in here, movie doesn't drag and while it adds nothing new to the table, i kinda was waiting for a bit straightforward criminal comedy, but what i saw was bit more serious and mature - and i liked that.