I don't know how this thing got classified as a comedy. It has several eccentric characters, but the pace (slow and deliberate) and energy level (low most of the way) don't suit comedy. Rather, "Armless" invites us to slow down and try to understand John, the protagonist, and his strange desire, and after a while, it starts looking credible. John's mother would mess any kid up, big-time, and his desire to be able to lose his fear by taking pain and loss is noble, even if his plan for getting there is bizarre. Other people's ways of handling fear and stress aren't to be recommended, either: two characters cope by popping pills, and a third has retreated into self-absorption, largely out of greed. Some parallels drawn between John and the doctor who tries to dissuade him show that other people have John's issues do. So the madman starts looking sane in an insane world. It's an absorbing movie, but I still don't think it qualifies as a good one. I wouldn't recommend it to any friend I wanted to keep. PGH

OK, not a horrible movie, not a fantastic movie but certainly not a waste of time as some have said. I watched this movie having read the three previous reviews: two bad and one good. So I did not expect much. But I am glad that I stuck it out. Independent films give writers and directors the chance to explore topics that would never make it in the mainstream, and that is what this movie is all about. Quirky characters with interesting real dialog. Very unusual plot idea. A very touching conclusion that was the definition of true love for me. I find it to be a quiet little movie that explored a lot of human flaws and issues in a very short period of time. The doctor's assistant is my favorite character, along with the completely self-absorbed mother.

Before watching I thought armless was going to surprise me pleasantly with a quite original script. Unfortunately I was half wrong. I was surprised, but I had far from a pleasant experience. The movie started boring, kept on being boring and ended boring.The 'story' could've been far more interesting if there was a real reason for John to want to cut of his arms. Now the reason is lame, as is his constant "you are disgusted with me, aren't you?". A free tip: if you have to ask someone constantly if you are something negative you probably are! Asking so often John gets quite annoying too.The movie really had nothing in it and none of the actors seemed to rise above this sorry excuse of a movie. There is nothing you get from this movie, it's no fun, it has no good actors and basically no reason to watch. I made the mistake to do watch it and would not advise anyone to do the same. Be wise and let this one pass.

Sometimes at Sundance you hit the occasional film that is truly horrid. Armless is one of those rare awful films that sneak into Sundance from time to time.From a dull and lackluster plot to boring characters, "Armless" did not deliver on any front at all. The screenplay is poorly written, disjoint and lacking a story that keeps the audience interested. As a comedy it fails at making the audience laugh or even smile.John and his desire to cut off his arms earned a few laughs early on in the show, but as the film went on, the audience tired of the character and his repetitive lines as well as those of his wife. By the end all in the theater were just glad it was over. I had the misfortune of viewing this film at Sundance 2010 and as we exited the theater the comments from the movie goers were almost a universal, "what a waste of time". My advice if you see "Armless" being shown is to run the other way.