The Pill

...I think people are doing just too much when it comes to criticizing this movie.

So what if the characters aren't likable? Well I wouldn't say "so what" because character development is important, but I think Fred and Mindy are meant to be "normal," with a quirky, indie twist. And "normally"...people do have one night stands and wind up pregnant, unfortunately. This film is a comedic perspective of real life. And it's kind of a chic, urban adventure.

I just love the roaming around New York City this film has, reminds me of...me. And I like seeing it on screen, what the hell. I also like that it's set in a summery time, so it's bright and fun and ironic to how dark this probably could be.

I mean I'd punch Fred in real life. He follows Mindy around pretending to like her just to make sure she takes both doses of a morning after pill. And why? Because he's married or in a long-term relationship. It shows two different types of New York lives: Fred is from the intellectual, upper classed part, with a self-centred, jet-setting girlfriend in a big fancy condo or studio apartment it looked like, and Mindy is on a working class budget with a black boyfriend in a small apartment in Brooklyn.

Now I have no idea why Mindy wanted to have Fred's child but based on my description it seems she wants his status through his child? I don't know. I think the director just wanted to portray girls who wind up pregnant after one night stands as bonkers and manipulative who try to pass it off as feminism. Maybe it's his version of modern city girls, as the New York backdrop was utilized a lot and very well so perhaps this setting was done intentionally, or convenient considering it's where the director lived... But it was done in a funny way, and it's a comedy! So it worked.

Anyway I hated Fred, LOVED the guy playing him. I'm not sure if it was improvising the script or what. But he was funny. Sometimes the script seemed like they were improvising with some direction on where the conversation should go, like very realistic dialogue (stuttering, petty back and forths, laughs, vulgar social commentary), so on that level to film snobs it could've looked amateur acting-wise but pretty good direction wise. But I enjoyed it because it was realistic.

The elements were great as I mentioned, the background scenery of New York City, being on the subway-train (a big must in big-city indie films for me), strutting and skipping through big crowds, going to small cafes, convenience stores and pharmacies, apartments with cute and artsy interior decoration (they used the director's apartment for Mindy's apartment), it was all so nice. Their stylish- casual wardrobe. The soundtrack was enjoyable, like atmospheric, bubbly indie music. All these things subtly but hugely make the film, for me. So it's an enjoyable watch. Albeit with flaws. I loved the last scene, I would've done the same thing as Mindy when she saw Fred if not worse.

Long story short: the only flaws, for me, was developing Mindy's character. I simply don't understand why she loved Fred so fast and intentionally had his kid but hey girls like this do exist. I also don't like Fred but I think focusing on him as a character too much is unnecessary to critiquing the film as a whole. The things I liked: the setting, Fred's script and the actor playing him, the theme (it's interesting). The pace was good. It's not a boring film at all. If you're into films just to fall in love with the characters/actors and ignore how well a film was put together or not, then this isn't for you. If you can understand the reality of character flaws but appreciate important film elements like plot, script, setting, angles, music, originality yet reality, then this is for you! :D

The title, along with the film cover are both pretty self explanatory. It may sound like a cliché type movie but once you give it a chance, you find it is not as bad as you would have thought. It provides many laughs but there are some heart touching moments as well. It's not so much like 'No Strings Attached' or 'Friends With Benefits' kind of deal. It's more of them wanting to prevent any problems in the aftermath of sex then just having sex and leaving it at that. I also liked how the stars were more of smaller known actors and not big Hollywood celebrities. It put more of a shine on them. Noah Bean and Rachel Boston are fantastic together. You can feel the chemistry between them from beginning to end. This may not be an award winning film, but hey not all of them have to be. It is a perfect fit if you're home with your friends and you just want to have a good laugh.

Im really surprised the IMDb rating for this movie is so low! Im so sure this movie would have been a big commercial success if the casts were all changed into some Hollywood big stars. I would say this movie is tied with "No Strings Attached" but has definitely beat "Friends with Benefits".

The storyline is pretty simple but I do like how the writer/director is capable of catching those small things and moments of a relationship and delivering them smoothly. But sadly the dynamic between both leading characters is not strong enough. For this part, in comparison, Aston Kutcher and Natale Portman in "No Strings" have way better gravity.

Both actresses, Rachel Boston and Anna Chlumsky, are hot enough and I must mention that the performance of Rachel Boston in this film is way better than how she does in Witches of East End. She deserves more than just acting in those lousy teenage drama shows.

when you watch this film, you'd immediately find that the main male character's way of delivering his dialog is way too much alike woody allen in all of his movies. a constant uncertain, unsure, self-doubt, self-righteous, thinking-by-mouth blabbering, the way he talks, even the gestures, the facial expressions are all transformed into woody allen alike. his impotent way to deal with women, the relationship, the long suffering under the strong-will woman, the sudden found charm when he meets gentle kind woman, the stammering when he has to lie, to convince and to persuade, to ensure the woman he falls for are exactly like what woody allen did in all of his films, the only difference is the young guy does not have a bald head and a pair of eye glasses. the whole film is watchable but not good enough to be remembered or deemed as a great movie; pills or no pills, taking promptly or following directory.

This is a side note to big budget romantic comedies that are in favor of pumping up the idiocy and the incredulity in their scripts. Instead of being a mawkish and gooey portrayal of modern relationships, The Pill is another romantic comedy exploring the dangers and the repercussions of having a one night stand. This topic was also explored in Katie Astelon's directorial effort The Freebie in 2010, a rather ho-hum and middling effort in the area of infidelity. It seems The Pill has simple kinks ironed out more efficiently.

We are instantly introduced to Fred (Bean), a writer who despite having a tolerable relationship, seeks to have a one night stand with a woman he recently met while his girlfriend is on a trip. Fred hooks up with Mindy (Boston), a quirky, Zooey Deschanel-like woman, full of complexities and eccentricities. After having unprotected sex so quaintly, Fred foolishly assumes that Mindy is on the pill, when she is not. Stressed out and, after a hasty conversation involving ethics dictated by religion, Fred goes out to buy her the morning-after pill.

After she takes the one, Fred neglects to remember that the morning-after pill is two pills, one for as soon as intercourse is over and the other twelve hours later. Since Mindy was so troubled by taking the one, getting her to take the other seems like a mission impossible. Knowing that she is not the most trustworthy person, Fred winds up sticking around with Mindy for the next twelve hours to assure that she will take the pill. Inevitably, they become closer, but Fred also must remember the budding quandary he is facing with his current girlfriend, Nelly (Anna Chlumsky, the My Girl actress), a pushy, vindictive soul.

One of the film's funniest and brightest scenarios is when Mindy invites Fred over to her parents' house to celebrate her younger brother's birthday. Immediately, Fred has a contentious relationship with Mindy's father, who believes that he is unwise for not having a backup plan in case journalism fails him.

The Pill manages to do quite a few things right with its very concise runtime. It introduces us to three characters, whose lives will eventually change because of this seemingly innocuous one night stand. It also does the best to make the Fred character, a person who initially wouldn't be a smart choice to make the leading man because of his indecisive personality and rather unlikable first impression, into a relatable man we can feel for, while also projecting life into the other two women in the film. As for the "comedy" in the term "romantic comedy," it is mainly deadpan wit that audiences may or may not collectively resonate with. Exposure to programs like The Office or Curb Your Enthusiasm, because of the quirky scenarios that inevitably erect a domino effect, could possibly help. Or just an open mind, with a craving for difference.

Director J.C. Khoury does a lot of great things with his first feature film, one of which is making the film avoid romantic comedy pitfalls such as glossy sentimentality, hardcore romanticism, and cinematic clichés, and also doesn't go for the extreme indie mumblecore style that could propel into heavy-handedness. This is simply a well made romantic comedy, sharp, lively, and full of enigma that will easily resonate with the audience and provide a healthy discussion afterwards.

Starring: Noah Bean, Rachel Boston, and Anna Chulmsky. Directed by: J.C. Khoury.