Strong Vibes of 80's classic Big Chill are all over Clea Duvall's debut film as Director/Writer. Even Alia Shawkat character feels like a nod to Meg Tilly from that film. Although nowhere near the quality of that film, DuVall still produces a film better then it's 6 rating on this site. I preferred it to her follow up Happiest Season, which lacks the bite and edge this debut film has.
Also it's great nearly 17 years later to see the trio from the classic But I'm a Cheerleader in Duvall, Melanie Lynskey and Natasha Lyonne on screen again. Even Duvall/Lyonne play a couple in this like former film. The cast is unformily great especially Lynskey and Ben Schwartz. Shawkat brings a charm to her role. I do think Lyonne is slightly underused but she still brings to her.
Basic plot is Four couples on a getaway together are baffled when one of them realises that their entire trip is a planned intervention to help them in their respective marriages.
It mixes it's comedy/drama pretty well. I actually like the ending for real life married couple Josh Ritter and Melanie Lynskey characters that Lynskey's Annie is willing to give up the man she loves cause she just doesn't want to marry or have kids. It's pretty hearbreaking as you expect them to be the ones to last to the end. Lyonne/DuVall lesbian couple aren't really given a ton to do in the film. Go see But I'm a Cheerleader to really catch them at their best.
At 1hr 28mins, i think the film could have done with another 20 minutes to get to know the characters better imo. But it's a nitpick. It's a solid film and shows DuVall has a potential career as a strong filmmaker.
At 1hr 28mins.
Also it's great nearly 17 years later to see the trio from the classic But I'm a Cheerleader in Duvall, Melanie Lynskey and Natasha Lyonne on screen again. Even Duvall/Lyonne play a couple in this like former film. The cast is unformily great especially Lynskey and Ben Schwartz. Shawkat brings a charm to her role. I do think Lyonne is slightly underused but she still brings to her.
Basic plot is Four couples on a getaway together are baffled when one of them realises that their entire trip is a planned intervention to help them in their respective marriages.
It mixes it's comedy/drama pretty well. I actually like the ending for real life married couple Josh Ritter and Melanie Lynskey characters that Lynskey's Annie is willing to give up the man she loves cause she just doesn't want to marry or have kids. It's pretty hearbreaking as you expect them to be the ones to last to the end. Lyonne/DuVall lesbian couple aren't really given a ton to do in the film. Go see But I'm a Cheerleader to really catch them at their best.
At 1hr 28mins, i think the film could have done with another 20 minutes to get to know the characters better imo. But it's a nitpick. It's a solid film and shows DuVall has a potential career as a strong filmmaker.
At 1hr 28mins.