2.00 | "When they started talking about Zzzzzzzzzz." "Every mumblecore character ever eventually starts whining, and if you’re not on their side, it’ll just be annoying." "I also loved Luke saying, “He’s got a brother, but he’s weird as fuck.” |
Its theme is clear - the gray line between male and female friendships. Having been in this for most of my life, I quickly spotted and related to the situation. For those of you who never been in this situation, you may not have caught on as fast or at all.
Having been in the situation, the movie was predictable. The dude (Luke) and girl (Kate) have feelings for each other but both in relationships. They hangout and constantly flirt with each other to the point where it is obvious but no one wants to admit it. Everything comes to a head when Luke helps Kate move out of her apartment. They make formal plans but it all goes to hell when Luke cuts his hand and cannot really help Kate anymore. She calls Dave, the douche who she slept with after Chris called things off with her, and he casually invites her to go out. When she would rather do that instead of something formal with Luke, he loses it. That is when their friendship is called into question but is settled in the end.
The acting was OK at best. There were some funny parts but they were subtle. Was anyone else wanting Sudeikis to do a Mitt Romney impersonation? He was really good at that. Jake Johnson (Luke) plays in "The New Girl," which isn't completely out of Drinking Buddies' theme, and essentially played the same character. Olivia Wilde (Kate) was above average too. She got naked so that was cool but played the everyday girl who has the bartender's charisma and seemed like the cool chick with whom people want to hangout. Ron Livingston (Chris) is the prick cool chicks like. Why? No clue. Anna Kendrick (Jill) is the girl who wants a commitment. Luke was unsure of the commitment because of his feelings for Kate and Kate probably liked him romantically but was not ready for what Luke had to offer.
This leaves the question about male and female friendships hanging. Is it possible? Well no, actually. Huffington Post and other media reported of a study published two years ago on this subject. The researchsuggested men think more of women than vice - versa when they attempt to be "just friends." Perhaps Luke should have read this.
While I understood the theme, the story, however, was unappealing. I was not drawn in by the film. I found myself checking fantasy baseball stats, social media, texts, the fridge while the movie played. Those are not exactly the best ingredients for a good film.
There were some aspects of Drinking Buddies I omitted. When Chris and Jill took the hike and kissed and how Jill felt guilty about it. Another one was the amount of beer in the movie. Yeah, they work in a brewery and it's the name of the movie but damn, that was a lot of beer.
All in all, not bad but not good. Liked the theme and Olivia Wilde. OK acting mixed with an uninviting story makes for a decent grade. Grade: C+