Directed By: Michael Angelo Covino
Written By: Michael Angelo Covino & Kyle Marvin
Cinematography: Adam Newport-Berra
Editor: Sara Shaw
Cast: Kyle Marvin, Michael Angelo Covino, Dakota Johnson, Adria Arjona, Nicholas Braun, Charlie Gillespie, David Castaneda, O-T Fagbenle, Nahema Ricci, Tyrone Benskin
When Ashley asks for a divorce, the good-natured Carey runs to his friends, Julie and Paul, for support. Their secret to happiness is an open marriage; that is, until Carey crosses the line and throws all of their relationships into chaos.
Even though this is more supposed to be a broad relationship comedy, I dislike most of the characters for different various reasons throughout as most of them come across as so selfish and vain, especially Adria Arjona’s character who could be seen as a hot blooded stereotype, but if anything, she more sums up spiritual or wellness seeking characters who are supposed to be about inner peace, but if you ever get to know them come across more self initially because it tends to be all about them in their pleasure rather than others emotions, especially those who are in their lives or love them. Though she is undeniably, jaw-droppingly attractive. Then again maybe as I have had experience with those types it’s a bit too familiar.
Though for her character makes sense as a life coach and the initial opening scene the accident that happens in the results it would seem natural for something like that to shake the boundaries and look for a rebirth or at least a change in their lives as that being assigned of it.
Not to mention, knowing the two male characters are the writers and directors of the film. They set the bar high with who they cast as their girlfriends and wives in this film as the women come across is too beautiful for them believably but again it’s a film so we do see the qualities that make them fall for them.
Though everyone throughout comes across as so reprehensible yet wise, but might hit upon an ugly truth throughout, that might be painful for certain members of the audience to hear, especially those who are more romantic and believe in monogamy as the film is certainly cruel to more the supporting character characters
Then there is one character who thankfully is minor who is openly trying to pick up Dakota Johnson’s character at a carnival with their own chikd that I thought the movie was gonna do more with him, but is only there for one scene. It seems almost more like a prop or antagonist to get the most out of the main characters or add to the weirdness and silliness of the situation.
This film is downright funny though you have to be on its wavelength of just strange situations. It feels like another BOB, CAROL, TED AND ALICE. For the modern day age, but not trying to be as revolutionary or introduce the audience into a different way of thinking.
As it feels like a Woody Allen comedy played as a romantic comedy. As tinwaht happens after the happily ever after.
For all the qualities that make the film work there’s also things that just make you not like not necessarily the movie but the characters but then again it makes you uncomfortable and awkward, which the film seems to want to rest on sort of like a curb your enthusiasm, but where everybody is treated equally and each has their own personality disorder so to speak.
The two characters who stand out are Dakota Johnson surprisingly as she seems to be one of the more decent characters who gets confused and just can’t make up her mind and the character of Casey played by Kyle Marvin, who is just seems or comes across as an innocent and nice guy who gets pulled in to this situation and keeps trying to make the best of it, but at heart is just a romantic and who some will see as just too nice, but he comes across the most authentic and you can understand why people fall for him and trust him.
Even thevfilmmaking is quite impressive. on a technical level as the camera work is beautiful and it’s angles inventive, even the rhythm of the scenes which can go from intimate to slapstick on a moments notice. still manages to work and be perfectly blocked as the camera always knows where it’s supposed to be.
This is a film for the more adventurous, even if it seems like it’s gonna play more suburban and it isn’t as sexual as dirty as the premise or the trailer might make it look or sound there is nudity, but it’s more male nudity than anything and just examines the absurdities of relationships and the selfishness that can result in them, especially in the complications of trying to PLEASE a partner or seemingly open up for their pleasure and you might be sabotaging your own relationship
I am a fan of the filmmaker, Michelangelo Covino and Kyle Marvin in their previous film, the climb, and just as with that film here they play best buddies who’s romantic entanglements rule them and also the characters tend to switch partners who are their friends previously partners in the main characters tend to bicker, be ruthless to each other yet still come together and maintain that friendship that feels like slapstick, but also has a bit of truth behind it.
this one is no exception as it almost feels like a continuation of their previous film only with different characters and situations so again it has that kind of Seinfeld or curb your enthusiasm, energy and vibe while entirely being its own entity and personality
Grade: B-
