Director: Joe Swanberg
Starring: Olivia Wilde, Jake Johnson, Anna Kendrick, Ron Livingston, Jason Sudeikis
Running Time: 90 minutes
Certificate: 15
I do believe that as you get older, you see some movies in a completely different light every now and then. The likes of THIS IS 40 is relatable once you know people in their situation and DRINKING BUDDIES falls into that late twenties category, when you’re still figuring out what you should ‘really’ be doing…in every sense. Writer and Director Joe Swanberg (V/H/S, YOU’RE NEXT) has created an impressive personal project that explores different relationships with a strong ensemble cast.
DRINKING BUDDIES focuses around the relationship of Luke (Jake Johnson) and Kate (Olivia Wilde) who are co-workers at an awesome micro-brewery. At work they have a flirty relationship with days spent drinking or poking fun at each other and – in some ways – feel like they should be ‘together’ but they’re both with other people. The movie explores that blurry line between friendships and relationships and the ever-relevant question ‘Can members of the opposite sex be platonic best friends?’
Here, Joe Swanberg has created a fine slice of reality with astute observations on different kinds of relationships that will happen throughout your life. Olivia Wilde is exceptional as Kate, the only woman in the brewery who is trying to find herself but Wilde never over sells the character. Up against Olivia is New Girl’s Jake Johnson in a stand-out role, who has a set path and doesn’t let his character down. You could argue that by sitting on the fence he creates more bad things than good, but you always know what he stands for. What particularly sticks here, is the characters don’t betray who they are and admit their mistakes. Co-starring is the ever-exceptional Anna Kendrick who’s understated as Luke’s girlfriend Jill, her role is to start the questioning of the individual characters roles and a sturdy Ron Livingston as Chris, Kate’s partner.
In DRINKING BUDDIES, we get something modern and refreshing in this genre. Joe Swanberg has given us an equally strong and confused female lead which has echoes of Charlize Theron in YOUNG ADULT but with it created an incredibly likeable, relatable and intelligent comedy drama.
[usr=4] DRINKING BUDDIES is released on DVD March 10th, pre-order it now!
