Well, another Indie about young urbanites who have no connection to God, parents, country, or purpose. I find this theme extremely depressing. Having said that, it is not the film industry's role to make me feel good about life. There are loads of people who live the way characters in Indie flicks live. It's reality.
The best scene distinguishes this film from liberal crap in other small movies. It's when the main character spews a verbal tirade about his hypocritical slacker roommate, who lives off of his compassion and hard work.
Like in most of these hipster movies, the characters treat sex as an ordinary part of a date. You have a good conversation with someone in a park and then unzip. You have a good meal at the other's apartment and then climb aboard. If you do it well, there may be more. Otherwise it's probably over.
Obviously the choice of an extremely Jewish actor for the lead role made the whole thing weird. Because he had the sensitivity in his eyes and a soulful approach to life that would better fit a Rabbi. Yet he was totally Godless and living like a grungy concert-rat. You got the sense that this guy was meant for a higher quality life and better friends. Ultimately he found one.
Also, it was either weird or encouraging, depending on how you look at it, that attractive ladies were noticing a scrawny, pale, neurotic guy with glasses, a beanie, half a beard and no confidence.
All the actors were superb. I kept thinking that the roommate was Lisa Bonet, but way too young. Turns out it was her daughter.
The writing was spot-on, and the Toronto setting refreshing and attractive. They didn't try to pretend that it was N.Y. There was no obnoxious soundtrack.
To the makers' credit, they threw in some stuff about the awkwardness of eating on dates, bathroom habits, etc., because in real life these things play a major role.
In fantasy movies people eat a big messy meal and then have exquisite sex. But in this movie, the girl notices spinach stuck in the guy's teeth and that his kisses taste like the sauce they had for dinner. Also, the naked roommate is said to use loads of toilet paper. Real life is not as sexy as fantasy films, and this picture acknowledge that.
Watch it and accept if for the good dialog and characterizations. Don't let it influence you to live as lost as these people were and don't let it depress you.
