No one hits a home run every time he or she steps up to the plate, not even mighty writer/director Jason Reitman, who has brought us winners like Thank You for Smoking, Juno and Up in the Air. I think it’s safe to say that although he really tried to make a statement about our internet obsessed world, with Men, Women and Children, Reitman has struck out.

This is neither the first, nor the best film about people preferring online communication and interaction to the old fashioned, face to face variety. It feels like it borrowed heavily from Her, without the artistic merit and character development. In the roles of intersecting parents, children, neighbors, etc., we have talented actors who are not given much to do. Witness Adam Sandler, Jennifer Garner, Rosemarie DeWitt, Emma Thompson, Dean Norris, Judy Greer and Ansel Elgort (who you keep expecting to call out for Hazel Grace) sitting around, staring at mobile  phones and keyboards, looking befuddled. Seems this whole new internet thing has everyone confused, acting up and hooking up. The adults appear to be trying to keep up with their sexually precocious teens, and it feels like it’s coming from the perspective of an elderly outsider looking in.

I suspect this is an attempt at biting social commentary, but it just lacks teeth. It’s almost as exciting and provocative as watching the little rainbow buffering wheel spin for a couple of hours. We eagerly await Reitman’s next effort.

Rated R

1 hour, 59 minutes