Mutual Appreciation

The only mumblecore movie I would ever want to watch again.

In an alternate universe where indie films were still usually made in grainy b&w 16mm, this film would feel in its place. Today, however, it's unusual to find these kind of films, and even more so when they have such striking emotional realism and assured style. The quest for some kind of authentic emotion of people trapped in a generation that analyzes itself to death has rarely been portrayed so vividly. Perhaps too small to stand on its own, it feels like an early work of a great filmmaker.

Bujalski follows up Funny Ha Ha with another strong slice-of-life ultra-indie comedy. It feels a hint more polished than the last film with moodier black and white photography and Justin Rice's extremely likable leading performance, but still retains the same voyeuristic charm, realistic awkwardness, and highly relatable characters.

If I wanted to hear obnoxious hipsters inarticulately babble about their stupid shitty bands, there are a billion coffee shops in this town I could hang out in. I just wanted to throw all these characters off a bridge (and Justin Rice has a very punchable face). But I don't want to be completely dismissive. I get that the awkwardness and inability to communicate is kind of the point, and there is some truth here. But this style of performance is far too irritating.

Effortlessly delivers hilarious dialogue and has a plot that is propelled forward by natural curiosity. Not sure what mumblecore really is, but I'm 100% in for this unforced slice-of-life filmmaking.

"A modest step up from its assured predecessor in both content and form." - Nick Schager

Andrew Bujalski undertakes portraying self-aware, sensitive youngsters with authenticity and no gloss. He succeeds immensely not only in showing things for how they are, but also in proving how much dramatic friction one can get out of soft-spoken introverts who all but apologize for breathing.

With his first three films, Bujalski has shown a mastery of film form and the ability to reveal the humanity of mostly aimless young adults in the current generation. Bujalski trusts the writing (which is anything but heavy on exposition), as well as the camera and the movements of those on camera to draw out the unique personalities of these characters. MA's lack of a classical narrative arc doesn't keep it from being a revealing and incisive portrait on a most misunderstood group of people.

good character study; some humorous no nonsense editing; a great subplot denouement towards the end that captures either at shifting notions of the romantic/platonic friendships or a unique friendship with an even tempered "dupe."

I decided to complete my journey of early Bujalski, or really, just get it over with. I had some hope for a new perspective on his brand of mumblecore. The best I could say was the lead, Justin Rice, had some charisma. The whole thing was just so awkward and stiff, so anticlimactic, so unemotional. Snooze.

Bujalski's follow-up to the winning "Funny Ha Ha" is very much in the same downbeat tone with unpolished black-and-white cinematography to make it feel even more muted. The film follows three characters as they deal with relationships and aspirations, but it's mostly about that sense of personal drift of the post-collegiate years. There's a nice tangy humor throughout and every detail--the softly decrepit houses, the late-night, drunken conversations of hesitant bravery--is spot on.