A solid coming of age story combined with the story of a guy who is suffering from a major midlife crisis. It is a beautiful father-son - story that nicely declares what the most important things in life are and that too many things that are shallow are really overrated. Its not really a new concept but the film by Mike White is able to still make it relevant mostly thanks to the truly great performance by Ben Stiller who shines here in one of his finest on screen performances. Austin Abrams also gives a good performance and has potential to be a very promising new comer. He held himself very well against Stiller and although the performance often appeared to be a bit monotone , which the character was supposed to be, it really ended up great. Also the on-screen chemistry between the two leads is undoubtedly good and electrifying. The film has a really good soundtrack and a fine screenplay. The characters are mostly appealing, and if they are not at the beginning of the film the become once the film moves along. Which is one of its magics as well. It also successfully combines drama and comedy. Worth to see.

Poor Ben Stiller, he's not as rich as his friends. Boohoo he's not sleeping with 20somethings. Yawn-inducing middle class, middle-aged angst. Terrible.

Sometimes we're just feeling too good. Too content, too satisfied, too darn happy. If you find yourself in that place and have 90 minutes to kill, Brad's Status could be just what the psychologist ordered. From the opening scene you feel the wet blanket dropped on you and just when you think "OMG, I need a drink", Brad takes you to new depths. There's a fleeting moment when you think that maybe this thing will turn around and Brad will discover and appreciate the true joys of life. Oh yea of little faith. It's a fake out. The credits roll and Brad hopelessness is alive and well. If you're hankering for a truly dreadful experience, Brad's your guy.

Talk about a feel bad (as opposed to feel good) movie. Ben Stiller plays a dad who may have his heart in the right place - he seems to truly care about and love his son - but is sooo misguided in sooo many ways. All he really cares about is status, money and appearances...and he's kinda sleazy (young women...) to boot.Most of it is completely unbelievable - from Stiller's character itself to certain scenes to the "oh so obvious" revelations that his so-called successful friends have their own share of troubles. My wife and I could see that coming 5 minutes into the film. Mix that in with an overuse of this decades favorite diss: "white privilege". For the record, Stiller's problem is not that...he's just shallow.Skip it....or go to bed sad.