I Used to Go Here

Well the back to school scenes, made me nostalgic a bit. My expectations went way higher. I thought, maybe this movie could be a great mood lifter for me. But the story seems to get drifted away. Thankfully I ended up liking the movie.

Kris Rey have done a good job, but the movie demanded more. 'I Used to go here' lacked the depth and impact but I liked the self discovery path the movie has shown and the authentic story. Kris has lots of potential and this movie shows this.

Loved Gillian Jacobs in the movie.

Went into this not expecting greatness, possibly mildly entertained, and it did that but that's it. Characters are all flat and cliched including the letch Kiwi Professor. I really didn't feel any connection or empathy for any of the characters, everyone seemed so wooden. The trailer was good though, but unfortunately it had all the best bits, like the book of the main character, it could've been better.

Kate Conklin (Gillian Jacobs) should be happy after publishing her first novel. She's not. The book is not selling well. Her book tour gets cancelled. Her love life had cratered. Her friends are pregnant and moving on. Her old writing professor David Kirkpatrick (Jemaine Clement) invites her to speak at her alma mater. She's staying at a B&B across the street from her former home which houses a new group of student writers.

This is a small indie with a little bit of quirky humorous moments and light weight drama. Mostly, it's elevated by the appealing Gillian Jacobs' charms. It's slow at times and struggles to generate narrative momentum. There is one small section in the middle where it becomes a fun mission. It would be interesting to expand that part. The movie does need to add more to the script. I would change the last line to, "I could have done better. I will do better." It's more affirmative and more directed at herself. Overall, this feels like a second or third draft. It needs some more stuffing to fill up the script.

I think this film is a great mix of comedy and drama. The jokes are pretty funny, and I like the fact that it is free from gross humour. The drama side of the author's lack of success connects with me as well. I enjoyed it.

I appreciate when a movie has even a faintly casual/mature attitude towards certain controversial subjects, but for the most part, this is your standard, undercooked indie dramedy.