If you haven't yet, SEE THIS!!! Starring Smoogie Comedian in it who, along with the rest of the cast delivers a bunch of laughs.
This film takes a group of friends going through trials in their lives such as trying to secure investors, divorce, and figuring out a relationship. All of these trials are challenged by the arrival of one peanut butter banana chocolate smoothie.
Going into this film, admittedly, I was worried it would be like your average independent film with the cast just cracking jokes the whole time with no real plot to go with it which can work if balanced by the right cast. I was gladly proven wrong as I was introduced to couple Kacey (Keisha Cunningham) and Gerald (Sean Brasfield) who are trying to find an investor for Gerald's startup company. This hit home with me personally as me and my company are in the same boat right now. Navigating this couple throughout the film can prove that the stress from that and from what else happens cause a major rift but in the end, it can all work out for the best, even in ways and other aspects of life you wouldn't expect.
Meghan (Carmen Barton) and Chris (played by the late, great Nick Carthan) provide the true comedy as an outspoken divorced couple who, surprisingly, bring a fresh take on what you normally see in that situation. They get along for the sake of their friends and aren't afraid to address any elephant in the room which does away, in my opinion with the unnecessary drama we've seen before, leaving room for the comedy to breathe. After some alcohol and a couple other...baked goods get in their system, get ready for what's about to happen next because that's when things really start picking up.
Deanne (Rebecca J, Clark) and Jason (Alexander "Smoogie" Christian) are still navigating their relationship and where it lies which is a fun thing to watch but never really understood where things were with them until the third act. But the payoff is indeed worth the watch.
Then we have the youngest people Auri (Shermain Hemphill) and Chase (Darreon Carbin). These two pose a very important important factor into the plot but that's treading on spoiler territory where we won't tread.
I could tell you more about what happens when you throw investors Todd (Janci Finkley) and Laurie (Janine Madison) into the mix but I'll just let you see how they factor into that night as they come to visit with an unexpected lesson.
Also, a side note, while she isn't in the movie much, I've got to shout out Carolyn Agnew for her portrayal of Cheryl, Kacey and Meghan's mom. I would have kind of liked to see how she would have reacted to these antics as she does give a wise, tough, but kind attitude about her, not unlike JoMarie Peyton or Estelle Getty. Once you see the movie, you'll understand what I'm talking about.
The movie itself was amazingly well-written and the cast, dare I say, was the perfect cast to pull it off. Everybody just has such genuine chemistry in this that even if this were a movie about nothing but cracking jokes I'd still be entertained. The way Melondi Brown writes this is particularly exquisite, the timing and cadence of some lines reminded me a little of a Tyler Perry play. If this was done live on stage, I'd be one of the first to see it. But would it work with a recast Chris? Probably wouldn't as much as Nick Carthan did give a memorable performance as a funny smooth best friend and set the bar high.
One thing that's fresh is they all address what's going on in their lives but you don't really get a sense of any drama. When things get out in the open, it's straightforward, no beating around the bush which can lead to some of the film's most funniest moments. Something else that really stood out is the way everybody's story comes full circle in some way shape or form. And I do mean EVERYBODY. That's five plus cast members in a film that's a little over an hour and it does it in a way that's not rushed nor slow-paced! That's tough to do so props to director Nicolle M. Whalen for that.
While this film has major laughs and twists that outweigh the negatives, there are a few moments that kind of made me raise an eyebrow. For one, the use of a certain suspense sound effect which may have been added for comedic purposes but it just didn't resonate for me. Also, I felt at times, some pieces of dialogue were very "act-y" like the actor was just reading it off something. Luckily, there were only a few moments like that throughout the whole film.
All in all, this film deserves a watch. It may not be a blockbuster with a bunch of Michael Bay explosions but it's sure to make you smile, relate and bust a gut a couple times throughout the film.
