I saw this film at the Calgary International Film Festival (CIFF). Please note that I'm not affiliated with this film in any way. I watch films of all genres, and have been a short film and international narrative film reviewer for CIFF.
Ironically, This Will Never Work works in all the right ways. If you don't love this film, then "that problem is you". ;)
Every single moment of this film drew me in, even the beginning shots of life in New York. Literally laughed and shed tears along with all the characters. Though this is an independent film, I felt like I was watching a non-stop masterpiece. There was no moment where I wasn't either: 1) Laughing 2) Tearing Up 3) Enthralled in stillness, wanting to know what was going to happen or be said next. It's mostly a comedy, BUT it's also a drama that says a plethora about family, relationships, race, assumptions, stereotypes, and hard truths. Look (no pun intended), I'm East Asian meaning I'm none of the identities shown in this film, but identifying with and recognizing all the characters was easy and fun. And I related so much to how no matter our background, all families have their own "sh*t".
The acting was phenomenal (i.e. Real). I felt like I was watching people experience emotions in real-time.
I believe this film is still seeking distribution. Whoever picks this up is going to win big-time.
Despite this being a comedy (and also a drama), I hope it isn't overlooked in the awards season.
