DRAWN TOGETHER // A FILM REVIEW OF "PEOPLE PLACES THINGS"
At the beginning moments of the new romantic dramedy PEOPLE PLACES THINGS, Flight of the Conchords Jermaine Clement takes center stage as Will, a Graphic Novelist and a doting father who's setting up his twin daughter’s birthday party. He's searching for Charlie (Stephanie Allynne), his girlfriend and the twin’s mother when he walks in on her with another man (Michael Chernus). She wants out of their relationship and so, a year later, we see them separated. His ex is happy with her new fiancée (Chernus) and Will is depressed. He teaches during the day, where he's witty and quite a good teacher. When he goes home, he draws sad pictures reflecting his state of being and how he's unable to move past the relationship he left behind. The one thing that makes him happy is spending time with his adorable kids (Aundrea and Gia Gadsby). One of his students (The Daily Show's Jessica Williams), who quite looks up to him, sees him as a possible match for her own lonely sweet mother (Regina Hall). So she sets out to set them up and thus begins Will's slow journey to moving on.
The set up isn't new; we've seen it several times before, in various ways. But the way Strouse tells the story makes it feel fresh. The film is funny and sweet, but the characters are real and no one is making judgments on their actions. When Charlie cheats on Will, it's not setting her up to be the villain of the film. It's simply a moment in their lives that will lead to the next moment, and so on. In other words, the characters feel real, never so much as when Clement and Hall spend time together. Their relationship starts slowly, naturally sweet and his relationship with her daughter is also equally affecting. Much of this has to do with the charming, naturalistic performances by Clement, Hall, and Williams. All three have great chemistry and each shine together and individually. Playing Clement's two twin daughters, Aundrea and Gia Gadsby are cute as can be, and the scenes between them and their father Clement are also among the best. Stephanie Allynne also turns in a strong performance, showcasing a very confused young woman who, in less capable hands, would come off as shrewd or possibly nasty. Here she's a woman trying her best, often making mistakes but trying to make the best of them.
A deliberate slow pacing from writer/director Jim Strouse, easy flowing dialogue, and strong performances make PEOPLE PLACES THINGS a quiet charmer. The scenes may feel familiar, but it'll still warm your heart.
MATEO'S GRADE: B
Written and Directed by Jim Strouse Starring: Jermaine Clement, Regina Hall, Jessica Williams, Stephanie Allynne, Michael Chernus, Aundrea Gadsby, Gia Gadsby. Now playing in limited theatrical release and on VOD
PEOPLE PLACES THINGS OFFICIAL TRAILER
MATEO MORENO recently won a bet on who could hold their breath the longest underwater. He won the bet, having beat local loudmouth Jimmy "Thunderbird" Thomas with a record breaking "fourteen minutes." True, part of that time was him unconscious and the other part was him being revived, but he still counts it, and is now $20 richer. Take THAT Thunderbird! He currently lives in Brooklyn, New York.