When we at FILMSTARTS report on Netflix records, they are mostly of a positive nature. As a rule, it’s about the so-called watchtime, i.e. the value with which the streaming service determines the success of its films – in minutes. So there are always reports about works that – sometimes more, sometimes less surprisingly – have made it onto the list of the most-watched Netflix films. However, the whole thing can be turned around, because now the streaming service has set up a tangible negative record!
It concerns the chaos comedy “Me Time”, which premiered on Netflix on 26 August 2022. The negative record does not refer to Netflix figures – the film is doing really well there and was number 1 in the in-house top 10 for several days – but to the opinions of the critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, “Me Time” is now not only Mark Wahlberg’s (“Departed”) worst film according to the trade press, but also Kevin Hart’s (“Jumanji”).
With just 7 per cent positive reviews, “Me Time” was able to undercut “Infinite” (17 per cent) or “Max Payne” (15 per cent) on Mark Wahlberg’s side, for example, and leave “The Man From Toronto” (24 per cent) or “Night School” (27 per cent) behind quite easily on Kevin Hart’s side. Embarrassing! Rotten Tomatoes collects film reviews published on the net by recognised critics and media and determines how high the proportion of positive ratings is. If a film gets more than 60%, it is considered fresh; if not – as is abundantly clear in the case of “Me Time” – it is rotten.
“ME TIME” IS BAD, BUT NOT A COMPLETE DISASTER
“Me Time” is all about Sonny Fisher (Kevin Hart), a stay-at-home dad who takes care of the kids and the household. When his wife Maya (Regina Hall) decides to go on a trip alone with the children, Sonny has time for himself for the first time in a long time. He more or less uses this time on the golf course or at a BBQ joint. When he meets up with his former best friend Huck (Mark Wahlberg) to celebrate his birthday, the weekend gets out of control…
We at FILMSTARTS are also anything but enthusiastic about “Me Time”. The official review gave the film a measly 2 stars out of a possible 5. Our author Sidney Schering writes in his conclusion: “‘Me Time’ often comes across as so lacklustre that one would prefer to give the film itself a weekend with an eccentric buddy.” While this makes it clear that “Me Time” is not necessarily the best evening entertainment, it is also not the absolute horror that the Rotten Tomatoes critics’ average suggests.
