Art (Robert Pattinson) is a depressed poet musician who is searching for some meaning in his life. His mother (Rebecca Pidgeon) doesn't get it. His girlfriend breaks up with him. He finds a self-help web site touting Dr. Ellington (Powell Jones)'s book "It's Not Your Fault". He is so in awe that he convinces the author to come live with him.I don't get the humor. It is undoubtedly very quirky. But it's also very dull. There is no energy anywhere on the screen. Robert Pattinson does a good and proper job of portraying this confused depressed kid. I think he's the only one working here. Everybody else is ridiculously mannered. The doctor is super creepy without being funny. Rebecca Pidgeon is stiff as a board.The plot, the writing, the dialog, the acting all lack any power. It's only an indie is not a good excuse. This is really a movie for Pattinson fans only. Because he's the only good thing here.

Oh dear! I'm all for Brit films and a good dose of Brit humour, me being British & all, but this film was pretty dire. I really wanted to like it as I think Rob Pattinson is quite a talented chap but it was a bit of a non-starter for me. I agree with a couple of reviewers here - many people are so hung up on Pattinson that they would award 10 stars for any project he did. I think he did as best he could with the character but it really wasn't too much of a test of his acting abilities; I expect he found it much more challenging to be forced to wear those hideous, polyester trousers throughout the whole of the shoot. He did quite well at acting like a freakish loser but Johnny White takes the prize for doing it the best!

Definitely an above average film. I went to the Chicago screening of How to Be, of course Rob Pattinson (Art) drawing me in. I had no expectations, just a free night to see what else this guy could do.The movie did not disappoint. The story line and direction was great and I actually found myself feeling sorry for Art. Poor Art is somewhat of an insecure gullible, goofy guy who just wants to be validated. His mother calls him an "oxymoron". He reaches out to his friends who couldn't care less about his feelings.His friends Nikki (Mike Pearce) and Ronny (Johnny White) are just as pathetic as he is. I thought Mike Pearce's character was a great complement to Art. His break dancing and skateboarding techniques cracked me up.The movie was filled with quick one line zingers that will make you laugh out loud. Though I must say, the people in the theatre were crazed for Rob Pattinson. From the onset, one single move/word from Rob and the theatre was howling with laughter. I thought I was a fan, but when he had a line or even a simple shifting of his eyes people were so vocal. It was a bit distracting. So it is probably best the film is going to On-Demand so you can really appreciate the story line and all the other actors/characters in the movie.Oliver Irving => great job on the writing, direction, casting, improv's. I will be looking for your future movies!

I was one of the lucky ones to see this movie at Slamdance. I absolutely loved this movie. "This is not your typical Robert Pattinson movie. He doesn't play a good-looking, heart-throb. Robert plays Art, an insecure, confused, depressed, misfit who has no direction, no real social skills, and no support from his parents. His only love is music, but he sucks at that too. After the break up from his girlfriend, he basically looses it and has to move back in with his parents. This is his struggle to become "normal" so his parents and friends will accept and love him. He even goes to the extreme of hiring a self-help professional to help him. You will feel so sad for Art – trust me! Don't get me wrong, this movie contains endless British humor to lighten the subject up. A wonderful independent movie with a great message. A job well done for Robert Pattinson.