Review of A Buddy Story (2010) by Syreeta D — 15 May 2012

"A Buddy Story" is a musical travelogue that never really bends your heart fully but is saved by the good chemistry between the leads Gavin Bellour, singer/songwriter/actor (solo act Buddy Gilbert) and Elisabeth Moss (neighbor Susan Adams), who team up rather quickly to hit the road with his pet turtle after she is left alone by her abusive boyfriend Pete.

You grow to appreciate their modest friendship that is clearly careful at every step of the way as Buddy tries to win a recording contract on his journey through various solo musical gigs in the northeast and Susan tries to confront and overcome her fears of men, relationships and her own talent.

Despite one scene that totally rings hollow at a biker bar concerning show tunes, they manage to eventually develop a bond for each other that lends itself to something more. Susan actually jumps in a lake (although she can't swim) as sort of a cleansing from a past that is not stated fully but we can assume child abuse from her father with him rescuing her as a metaphor.

She begins to come out her shell as Buddy's duet partner, slowly falls for him but issues abound. The road winds on for them still growing and searching, but the answers will be eventually found. Musically, Buddy is a struggling performer that tends to meander on with cafe house cliches.

Some passable tunes come forward but "Carried Away" is the standout song done in montage with a very attractive Moss enjoying her new found playful freedom through Buddy's lifestyle. Moss' role tends to be underwritten and her singing is a bit thin, but her eyes shimmer with a radiance rarely seen.

Susan is holding some ugliness back about her childhood we never really uncover. Nevertheless, Moss brings a tangible vulnerability far from her Mad Men fame. Bellour is easy going and affable despite his low key, non-threatening asexual style, which is paramount to building trust within the story.

But there are some uninspired family scenes as well, a mysterious phone call that is left hanging, plus an orthodox Jewish nature celebration that seem like filler, instead of soul searching. Anyway, A Buddy Story has an undeniable charm that proves love can be found among those who never thought they could have been in a such a place being carried away.

A pleasant trip. Three stars.