My Best Friend's Famous

In the 1990's, singer/songwriter Morrissey ripped the mask off a stone cold truism with his song, "We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful." A quarter century later, the surprising and slightly wonderful "My Best Friend's Famous" converts similar observational sentiments into a highly engrossing comedic gem.

Sean Reilly (played by co-writer Nick Psinakis) is the quintessential working actor (see: more working than acting). Fresh off the boat to L.A. by way of New York, his is a de facto day job hustle, living the grind as he awaits a big break. It's an existence made more palatable by the safety-in-numbers axiom: His best friend Freddy (Darryl Gudmundson) is there by his side -- swimming in Sean's same hapless ocean until (you guessed it) Freddy's thrown the lifesaver of a recurring role on TV. Verily, Sean's fragile artist psyche forces him to take account of his own life as a self-assessed non-starter. And with that, we're officially out of the gates on "My Best Friend's Famous."

This film is a wonderful iteration of the bad luck, loser guy comedy -- a vehicle that seemingly never gets old if it's done right, and "My Best Friend's Famous" surely is that. Psinakis elevates the role of Sean through commendable self-deprecation as the storytelling arc plunges him into his own little abyss, only to then elevate in a way sure to resonate with those in pursuit of their own life's passions. "My Best Friend's Famous" displays a warming light-heartedness and presents an enduring hope that a grander scheme of things might one day surface for us all. Highly recommended. - (Was this review of use to you? If so, let me know by clicking "Helpful." Cheers!)