The Pitch:
It's a Sundance movie for people who like Sundance movies.
A couple forms a band to write and perform songs
about their different arguments.
This movie has everything I want out of a Sundance
movie. It has two leads that I recognize from shows I like; ones who have a
charming and believable chemistry together. It has a story that's small enough
that the small budget doesn't get in the way. It stops just short of being
laugh out loud funny before moving into some more dramatic topics. It announces
a talented writer, director, and/or star. The supporting characters are played
by actors I like, playing to their strengths. It even has some nice music.
That describes most of my favorite Sundance movies
over the last few years: Hearts Beat Loud, Me & Earl & The
Dying Girl, Dude, Sleeping With Other People. I know some
people bristle at the idea of a "Sundance Formula" but I love it.
Particular to this movie, Zoe Lister-Jones and Adam
Pally are so great together. I'm not sure if they have a personal history. They
are about the same age and have been in a lot of the same kinds of shows and
movies. I can't find a connection in their filmographies, but that doesn't
means there's no off-camera connection. Regardless, they were very believable
as a couple, and I'd believe it if you told me they were old friends.
It's a good sign
when my biggest issue with the movie is that I didn't think it had enough of
the songs. None of them were billboard hits, but they worked really well for
what the movie needed. Like a lot of Sundance movies, this feels the need to go
just a hair darker than I would've liked. I'm not sure what to make of Fred
Armisen as the neighbor. Armisen is one of those guys who is funnier in the
room than on the screen. His bits are the kind that no doubt caused his
castmates to break while shooting, but they aren't quite as hilarious while
watching afterward. He's good and gets a few zingers that hold up.
If there was any
doubt by the end, the mid credits scenes won me over.
Verdict: Strongly Recommend
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