User reviews

Band Aid is a musical comedy that starts off very light hearted, fun and quirky but ends up discussing genuine marital issues, what it means to be in a long term relationship with someone and getting over loss. All the while incorporating great, entertaining music.

Starring Zoe Lister-Jones, Adam Pally and Ravi Patel the cast captures their respective characters very well, the two leads initially managing to capture the constant bickering of long married couples brilliantly in an almost too mundane but authentic way. While also managing the tenderness and genuinity of their relationship in several scenes that shows the love and care between the two.

The film's first half is indeed quirky and fun as the characters from this band and begin singing about their arguments and what they hate about each other. There is a growing debate between the two as Pally's Ben considers himself a realistic and Lister-Jones' Anna is the 'dreamer' this conflict of characters drives most of the drama and conflict of the film but is also what ends up bringing them together towards the end of the film where the film takes a more serious turn discussing the ideas of meeting a middle ground and of compromise.

Band Aid is a fun microcosmic view of human romantic relationships, a meditation of what it means to be with someone and issues of loss and the role of emotions. While also managing to discuss gender roles and the different ideologies that men as men hold and women as women hold, there is something very tender, soft but philosophical in the discussions of the film. Making Band aid a feel-good type watch that isn't taxing at all, a very easy watch.

Band Aid is a quirky indie picture written and directed by Zoe Lister-Jones that depicts the lives of Anna and Ben, a young married couple struggling not just with the dishes, but unemployment, un-fulfilment, miscarriage and of course the frailties of a monotonous marriage.

Together, both Lister-Jones and Adam Pally are brilliant in depicting a realistic and grounded relationship that balances comedy and drama, as the two uniquely deal with their marital problems by turning each and every fight into a song performed alongside drummer and neighbouring creep Dave, played by Fred Armisen.

The whimsical and clever lyrics of each song aside, the film is genuinely fantastic, both in direction and writing, with Lister-Jones churning out a brilliant performance that has me, and many others wishing she would write and direct more

It is a nice drama. I did not know the actress was the director herself, and her acting was so good and real, I would follow her acting in other films too. The chemistry between two central characters was so genuine and realistic, it was really refreshing. The setup is about a struggling couple who are facing economic and emotional problems, and then they try to vent their fight into songs by making a band. But if you expect something like "August Rush" or "Once" or "Music and lyrics", you might be disappointed. It is actually a family drama, with may be no memorable songs.

I believe all those divorces everywhere in the society, such movie sends a very good message. We need to deal with our problems with a try to understand each other more. I had few laughs during the movie, and some dialogues were pretentious, but still, it is a refreshing one. Zoe Lister-Jones should try to write more. And I wish more people watch this drama. Giving rating as 8, as this kind movie cannot get ratings like 10 out of 10, but hope IMDb would retain a 7+ rating for this movie, which it deserves without any doubt.

This movie was comedy versus drama mediated perfectly with music. A wonderful film.

Greetings again from the darkness. "Where words fail, music speaks." Danish author Hans Christian Andersen wrote those words more than 150 years ago, and he surely never imagined a 21st century California couple would prove true the adage. Zoe Lister-Jones (a regular on TV's "Whitney") has been acting regularly since 2004, and this is her first "all in" film project where she is writer/director/producer/lead actress. Her talent as a writer is evident in a topic assumed close to her heart: thirty-something angst.

Ms. Lister-Jones stars as Anna, a disenchanted Uber driver who is married to super slobby slacker Ben played by Adam Pally (Slow Learners, 2015). These two seem perfectly matched – or would be, if not for the constant bickering over anything and everything. Before you assume this is a remake of the ultra-depressing Revolutionary Road (2008), please note that the two leads are incredibly funny people and masters of witty one-liners. They make marital squabbles quite entertaining, once they decide to form a band with the sole purpose of singing their arguments.

Admittedly, it's a shaky premise, but these two manage to pull it off with help from neighbor/drummer/sex addict "Weird Dave" (Fred Armisen). Along the way, they take shots at their friends' exuberance over babies, the Holocaust, a kid named ISIS, pizza, dirty dishes, a mousetrap, sex, drugs, and art. They even bring levity to a marriage counseling scene featuring Retta ("Parks and Recreation").

Just as impressive as the humor is how the film balances the drama associated with lingering depression tied to the trauma of a miscarriage. This and the couple's inability to communicate their emotions are what drive their marital challenges. For a short time, the 'argument music' seems to improve their relationship, but it's obvious that the real issue must be dealt with. Enter Ben's mom (Susie Essman), whose only scene serves the purpose of explaining women to Ben and all the dumb guys in the audience.

There are actually quite a few familiar faces (many with ties to "Life in Pieces") that appear in only one or two scenes: Chris D'Elia, Ravi Patel, the aforementioned Retta, Majandra Delfino, Jesse Williams, Colin Hanks, Brooklyn Decker, Erinn Hayes, Jamie Chung, Hannah Simone, and Angelique Cabral. These quick hit scenes serve as a dose of reality, as "moments" are what make up life … even if many interactions are "crazy" (D'Elia) or creepy (Williams).

The film was well received at Sundance, and it immediately marks Zoe Lister-Jones as a filmmaker to watch. Her comedic presence is a rarity, and is complimented nicely by her musical talent, and her willingness to hit serious topics head-on. Here, she offers a woman's perspective on having kids, being questioned about having kids, and traditional women's roles within society and marriage. Her inspired observations (a spontaneous jam session at the kid's birthday party) are a welcome addition to today's cinema, while also offering a west coast contrast to east coast indie film.

Got to see this at Sundance earlier this year and really loved it. Great chemistry with the cast. Witty and smart and thoroughly entertaining, with some truly poignant moments sprinkled in as well. In addition to a strong voice behind the film, navigating between the humor and drama, Lister-Jones was very captivating on the screen as well, and her music didn't miss a beat as well. Overall very impressive little indie film.

Anna (Zoe Lister-Jones) and Ben (Adam Pally) are a couple fighting about everything. They are struggling. She suggests turning their fights into songs. They start a garage band with their sex-addict neighbor Dave (Fred Armisen).

Anna and Ben have some fun back and forth with Hitler jokes. I don't particularly like anybody else nor do I truly hate any of them. It's a lot of quirky hipster Hollywood and not necessarily that funny. It's especially true for Fred Armisen. He's trying too hard for my taste. I also don't like the songs. I struggle with that whole side of the movie.

I like Zoe and Adam. The movie hints quite forcefully early on about a great lost. It's revealed later on but an earlier reveal would have been better. It's not that shocking and it hung over the movie for the first half. Once revealed, the relationship has some terrific emotional scenes. There is something in this pairing but the surrounding elements don't always work.

"Band Aid" (2017 release; 93 min.) brings the story of Anna and Ben. As the movie opens, Anna and Ben, a married couple, are arguing over the dishes that are left sitting in the kitchen sink. "You are quite the dish Nazi", Ben screams to Anna, who does not take it well. "I come from a long line of Holocaust survivors!", she retorts. When they go to Anna's best friend's party celebrating her one year old's birthday, Anna and Ben pick up the kids' instruments, singing an impromptu song, to their delight, "What if we turned our fights into songs?", Anna wonders. At this point we are 10 min. into the movie but to tell you more of the plot would spoil your viewing experience, you'll just have to see for yourself how it all plays out.

Couple of comments: first and foremost, this movie is a labor of love for Zoe Lister-Jones, who not only stars (as Anna), but wrote, produced and directed as well. She is omni-present, and that is a good thing. Here she brings a look at married life and how to combat when a marriage seems stuck, if not worse. (It's only much later in the movie why the marriage seems stuck in the first place.) Lister-Jones, who has released music before, also co-wrote the songs that are featured in the movie. At first, the movie feels like "can music save this marriage" type movie, but that is less and less the case as we get deeper into the movie. And is this the first movie where the main character (Anna) makes a living as an Uber driver? Besides Lister-Jones, there are several other wonderful acting performances, including Adam Pally as Ben, and Fred Armisen as their neighbor (and eventual band mate and drummer). Keep an eye out for a blink-it-and-you'll-miss-it cameo appearance of director Deryl Wein (Zoe's real-life husband). Last but not least, I have no idea what the movie's title "Band Aid" means. Is it a reference to the 1980s all-star charity group that recorded "Do They Know It's Christmas"? Your guess is as good as mine. Bottom line: "Band Aid" is a heart-felt indie romance-drama with/by/from a stellar Zoe Lister-Jones.

"Band Aid" premiered at this year's Sundance Film Festival. It finally opened at my local art-house theater here in Cincinnati this weekend and I couldn't wait to see it. The Friday evening screening where I saw this at was attended dismally (3 people, including myself), much to my surprise and disappointment. Maybe this is the type of movie that will find a second life once it's available on Amazon Instant Video and eventually on DVD/Blu-ray. "Band Aid" is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

This film was such a pleasant surprise. It was really refreshing to watch two people who could be from my life and to have conversations that seemed real. Not clichéd or cheesy. The chemistry between the lead characters is incredible. I had to google to see if they really were in a relationship! Much enjoyed Friday night in, kind of uplifting film.

A couple fighting create a really cool way of doing it by singing songs about it and starting a band with the great Fred Armisen  on drums.

It was funny and touching. A very interesting look at the process of a couple dealing with something tragic that happen to them like a miscarriage, and I found the whole thing very insightful.

Plus, the music was good too so that's a definite plus.

http://cinemagardens.com

This movie is actually not as typical and usual as i thought it would be. my expectations when i decide to watch this movie is that it would be somehow corny with a predictable ending. and i must say i am wrong and right. let me explain okay, i will start off by saying everything i really appreciate about this movie. first, that this movie could go wrong at some point. it could be just like another typical comedy romance movie but it's not. i really like how this movie handle and focus on just the one subject that is a broken marriage. the band is just a way to fix the broken marriage and i'm happy that they didn't went off rails from the one big theme. when they brought up the record deal i could see how they could go that way and end this movie with them having the record deal and them finally figure their passion and it fixes everything and i hate if that happens, which to be honest happens in a lot movie. but i'm so thankful that they didn't and i actually love the ending. i also love how it doesn't shove things right in your face. it expect you to pick up the little things the characters said and behave for the audience to acknowledge something and it unravels pretty greatly in this movie. now, my main problem about this movie is how it's so held back. this movie want the audience to believe that it's a broken marriage, and they constantly have big fights but i don't get that, really. their fights are tame and very held back. the performances are generally great, but i think if they let loose and just have the fights in a better, more realistic way, it would be better. like, when i watched the fights i don't feel any tension except probably the last big fight, which doesn't impress me because it's supposed to be the big climax of the story and it's just okay. and it's affecting me throughout the entire thing because the fight is the main problems, right? but the fights are so underwhelming and it's very scripted, and look like it's scripted which doesn't make me really believe in the characters' pain which is such a shame because i think the two main characters are already great and somehow likeable.

Nothing on so saw this and figured why not, so glad I did was a good movie didn't pull out my iPad once during it. Had a good story, well acted and I liked the songs too good rhythms. Worth a watch

A constantly bickering couple frustrated with their menial jobs form a band with their weird neighbor when they decide to use music as a creative outlet. The content of their fights is turned into vacuous lyrics and set to mediocre music, but we'll eventually learn that this is just their way of avoiding discussion of the real conflicts tearing their marriage apart. In order to enrich the viewing experience, the movie also provides an educational lecture to inform us that woman tend to be more open then men in expressing their emotions.

You know those commercials where chatty young urbanites engage in fluid conversation while a shaky camera quickly cuts from one intimate angle to another? Insipid music plays in the background to emphasize the drama and in the end it turns out to be a sales pitch for something completely unrelated, like shampoo or an on-line brokerage. Now imagine that the commercial lasts for 90 minutes. The movie does have some very good funny moments when it isn't trying to be serious and it even has a few good serious moments when it isn't trying to be funny, but together it just doesn't add up. I suppose there must be people to whom this style of film appeals, but I'm obviously not one of them

Great script, real funny and clever. On top, her direction was pretty good her songs were both smart and hilarious! First time I see the creator's work and was really a nice surprise. Just watch it guys!

I'm giving this a "10" not Bc it's among the cinematic classes, but it's among the best rom coms I've ever seen, certainly in the last 5-7 years. I'm not really a fan of Zoe Lister-Jones as a human, her social media is seriously the definition of narcism and my life never has any problems, I'm happy all the time. Having said that, this is just a very well written and shot movie. Adam Pally and Fred Armisen are both great. There's more than a couple laugh out loud moments. It's unique and quirky and the original music is clever af. I'm a dude btw, and I didn't even watch this with my Girl, but I showed it to her after I saw it and it absolutely got me laid, to a very dope degree; and isn't that the reason anyone watches a rom com in the first place when you really get down to it? Really enjoyed this flick with or without the complimentary sex.

Apparently almost all the reviewers like this movie so I must be the exception. Don't get me wrong, it's not an awful movie, but it's certainly not a masterpiece. First of all I don't like movie where there is singing involved and in this case there is alot of it, and let's be honest it isn't great music. They try to make their lyrics funny, as it is a comedy, but besides a fake smile every now and then I didn't have much fun listening to their songs. There are a couple mildly funny moments in the movie, most of the time when Fred Armisen is involved but unfortunately he doesn't appear that much in Band Aid. The cast is okay but the story isn't great. For the rest I just sat through the movie, a bit bored and wanting more humor.

A gem. Funny, witty, thoroughly well written, excellent character interaction, excellent acting. A found myself thinking about some of scenes the day after and still laughing out loud. I gave it a 10 mainly because I've seen so much garbage lately that this was very refreshing

Zoe Lister-Jones gets credit for being the writer, director, actor, singer, lyricist and thus this multi talented lady will definitely go places but as for the film, it is as good as the one line in the IMDB description. There's nothing more to it. The only reason I watched this film is because it was Zoe's directorial. There's absolutely nothing in this film that needs to be watched.

..this woman has such insight.. ..the world has just begun to peer into what she's letting them know..

.. she keeps continuing on.. it will be a fun-wonder.. .. just going where ever she wants to.. .. no knowing what comes next..

.. we all just get brought along for the great ride..

A nice story of a marriage on the rocks but husband and wife want to save their relationship. But how?

Music rescues their marriage then almost turns on them to create a disaster. A well scripted story with excellent acting! You believe this couple is real and their efforts are also real. And their songs are good!

A sweet little indie that will charm and entertain.

This film is wonderfulness all through it...a natural realness with divine values graciously acted out ... way better flick than a 'Star Is Born'...this show was good ... simplistic writer's definition of a difference between men and woman that doesn't exist...a lot of folks like to 'think' they are a 'different' species...nope...not so...men 'day dream with no more intensity than women'...both types of earthlings 'day dream' their ways through life avoiding each other...the bit about reaching 'through touch' is correct...nowadays, women 'can't get sexual until they are touched or until they touch themselves...they have to be touched....'...a woman, anyone, out to be just 'being still' and 'be sexual and feel sexual and have horniness just 'come up' so to speak'...people don't have 'genitalia' anymore ... been replaced by digitalia and gatialia...this flick gives great actors a chance to deliver the goods...and dandy writer...raw creative stuff...Star Is Born is 'syrup pop' and this is 'hippity hop aboard reality'...love loves the challenge to love even joying in the suffering 'knowing' suffering is ego floating away on a gravy train...no pain no gain becomes a gravy train...perspective...wait awhile...it changes...it...there is no it...people...you and me and the coconut tree...and creativity...i trust this little gem is enjoyed by many...i thought there'd be hundreds of reviews...a Star Is Born is nice acting delivering images that won't effect anything about anything except perpetuate the poor me another conceptualizing victim tragic trauma road...losers in love are not in love...winners are...these guys are winners....Paul Newman was asked about marriages years ago on a talk show and he said, sorry Paul if i get it wrong, 'nowadays, you have disposable beer cans, disposable fountain pens and spouses are disposable...Robert Mitchum thought you had to be insane to 'get married'...but, wasn't he stoned....'people do work things out and they do so through 'playing with each other' from this deep trust....i like this thing a lot...i love good drama...this was so tight...stunning to see 1 person did all this...well, money, writing, directing....that's a lot of stuff...the acting wonderful...i've seen both the people in stuff before...and they did all their own singing...great stuff...i didn't agree with the perceived or conceived difference between the mano and womano...the 'difference' is not hormonal...there is no difference when the two can connect with their otherside which is inside...ho hum dee dum