GLORY DAYS // A FILM REVIEW OF "I USED TO GO HERE"
Everyone has the dream of going back to their home town or their alma mater as a success story. To show that you "made it," whatever that may mean to you. But often, we get to return to our old stomping grounds with a few broken stories and a life that is still "in flux." In I USED TO GO HERE, Kate (Gillian Jacobs, most famously from Community) was a star in college and she moved away to become a successful writer. Now her first novel is being published, but before any reviews have even come out, she finds her publisher has cancelled her entire book tour, leaving the success of the book in question. With the wind knocked out of her, she gets an invite from David Kirkpatrick (Jemaine Clement), her old college professor, to come speak to his class. Needing some instant validation after being knocked down, she immediately accepts.
David tells her that he loved her book, though his wife didn't care for it (His wife is sitting right next to him when he says it. That's the kind of person David is). David is thrilled for his class to meet her, and she's excited to see him after so many years. She ends up staying at a Bed & Breakfast across the street from where she lived so many years ago and bonds with the students that are currently living there, especially with Hugo (Josh Wiggins) who's equally drawn to her. However, this isn't the typical "back to college" party set up (even if a character is named "Animal"). It's much more nuanced and sweet. Kate wants to be the belle of the ball, but she's not even sure if her book is any good (she definitely hates the cover), or if anyone has actually read it. She wanders freely into her old haunts, lapping up the life of these students still on the verge of their future.
Writer/Director Kris Rey mixes bittersweet drama with screwball hijinks very well, and has cast a wonderful ensemble of actors. Flight of the Conchords own Jemaine Clement is perfectly cast as a popular, and horny, professor and the school group Kate attaches herself to (including Josh Wiggins, Forrest Goodluck, Khloe Janel and Brandon Daley) are all warm, funny and each showcase their own stand out scenes. Adding a little zanniness to the proceedings is Rammel Chan, a super-fan of Kate's who happily drives her anywhere she wants to go, no matter what the time of day (or night) it is. He's silly and charming, never cartoonish, and adds a loving support to Jacobs throughout. And as our protagonist Kate, Gillian Jacobs is charming and sweet, turning in an emotionally satisfying performance that glues everything together. There's so much charm and love sitting inside of I USED TO GO HERE that when it ends, you'll feel a little better than you did before you started it. Sweet and tender, Rey's comedic drama is the comic highlight of the summer.
GRADE: B+
WRITTEN & DIRECTED BY Kris Rey STARRING Gillian Jacobs, Jemaine Clement, Rammel Chan, Josh Wiggins, Forrest Goodluck, Khloe Janel, Zoe Chao, Brandon Daley, Hannah Marks, Jorma Taccone, Kate Micucci, Cindy Gold, Jennifer Joan Taylor. Now Showing in Select Theatres and On-Demand in Virtual Cinemas.