Laggies Review
RYAN: I’m really perplexed by the movie poster for Laggies since it proclaims it a comedy; there were a couple funny moments but it’s barely a dramedy. It’s really mostly a drama. Keira Knightley stars as woman having an identify crisis at a time when all of her peers have life all figured out. I like that it’s a sort of coming of age story for an age older than adolescence.
CAROLINE: This director, Lynn Shelton, is known for letting her actors improvise on set, but this film actually follows a script. I didn’t see it, though. How was it?
RYAN: It’s good. It has a unique tone which I appreciated. It’s a small, indie film that struggles to find it’s heart. But in the end, it’s there. I have a hard time with Keira, often, when she’s not in period pieces or when she’s using an American accent, but I really bought her in this contemporary role and her Ameraccent is surprisingly great here.
CAROLINE: Thats a relief. I’ve always been annoyed a little by her underbite.
RYAN: (laughs) Aw she’s pretty. I always complain when romantic comedies are stale and this one is very different. Primarily because it’s not a straightforward rom com. It’s more about this one woman’s story, with a rom com woven in. It really focuses on how Keira’s character and how she’s coming apart when all of her friends are married, having kids, etc…
CAROLINE: Thats a cool perspective to show. What about Chloe Grace Moretz and Sam Rockwell?
RYAN: They’re both fantastic – especially Sam. He’s such a charmer and a cutie and really one of those actors that you watch and just wanna have as a friend. I loved him in this movie and I think anyone would. But they’re all secondary to Keira and the challenge for this movie – since it so heavily focuses on her, is that I wasn’t always on her side. I don’t think she’s supposed to be, but I found her to be an entitled brat; an enabled procrastinator. She’s likable but walking a fine line.
CAROLINE: See now that actually makes me more interested to see it.
RYAN: It’s a bit predictable and slow at times. The themes made me think about maturity, independence, trust, friendship, love, inter-generational relationships – she and Chloe have an interesting friendship in the film.
CAROLINE: I read somewhere it’s a May – September friendship.
RYAN: You could say that. It is well written because it could have become awkward at any moment and it doesn’t. It maintains a nice, steady flow of drama.
CAROLINE: Well you know I love a good rom com.
RYAN: It’s certainly not your typical chick flick or rom com. It’s a cute movie but not a must see on the big screen.
