SORRY, THANKS

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SORRY, THANKS (director/writer: Dia Sokol; screenwriter: Lauren Veloski; cinematographer: Matthias Grunsby; editor: Jennifer Lilly; music: Team Love; cast: Wiley Wiggins (Max), Kenya Miles (Kira Marks), Andrew Bujalski (Mason), Ia Hernandez (Sara), Donovan Baddley (Simon), Alyssa Campbell (Amy), Mackenzie Keegan (Zach), Jonathon Wallace (Jon the Intern), Ryan Tresser (Ryan); Runtime: 93; MPAA Rating: NR; producer: Lauren Veloski; ; 2009)
“Could have used a little sizzle to counter all its tedium.”

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz

The directorial debut of Dia Sokol, former producer of mumblecore films, is less than auspicious though it’s somewhat rewarding because of its deadpan wit. As a mumblecore film it observes a bunch of young adult geeks in San Francisco, who are aimless in work and play. The pic builds no tension, lacks drama, the characters are not particularly likable, it disappointingly ends slickly with no resolutions to the pertinent relationship problems presented, and the screenplay of writers Lauren Veloski and Sokol could have used a little sizzle to counter all its tedium.

Self-centered, bumbling, charming slacker Max (Wiley Wiggins) is a jerky dude, who works in the office of Senator Walker as a low-level aid. Though involved in a long-term relationship with the sincere Sara (Ia Hernandez), a counselor to mentally disturbed heroin addicts, Max has a one-night stand with a black copy editor named Kira (Kenya Miles), who is trying to recover from the recent breakup with her long-time boyfriend and has just taken this lower corporate position to avoid travel. The two become obsessed with each other, but do not know how to commit to their relationship without hurting someone else.

The indie film follows the two confused leads through their circle of aimless friends and their dead-end jobs, and keys in how flighty, bored and apathetic they all seem. Though it captures the spirit of these middle-class nerdy hipsters and the way they relate to one another, it all seems not that interesting.

REVIEWED ON 2/9/2013 GRADE: B-

Dennis Schwartz: “Ozus’ World Movie Reviews”

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