Review of Bernard and Huey (2018) by Brian F — 09 Jun 2018

This film defies gravity, which is kindof a miracle.

I was shocked because it's one of the stronger artistic products I've seen by a creator who had been well known for his work in the industry - Mirvish has directed films before, but he's also written helpful books on independent filmmaking and promotion and was a principal at the Slamdance Film Fest. Normally, entertainment industry folk (in music as well as film) create things and you're like, that's cute, now go back to your spreadsheets. But this film is really smart and beautiful, and Mirvish's artistic choices are almost entirely sound.

I was also surprised by this film because it is a film largely about dudes' relationships with women - men being flummoxed by women, hurting them, having their friendships affected by them, finding personal growth through them, etc. - a subject which might seem slightly out of fashion to pursue, given the events of the last couple of years. But even though this is the subject, and it does at times feel like it was written by a male from an earlier generation with some slight updating (Sasha Alexander stuck in the orbit of two patently lesser males; outsiders' perspectives on Millennials and their "apps"), the screenplay is sparklingly witty, quotable, and even touching.

And finally, the film's acting is particularly fine, which is usually the Achilles heel of an independent dramedy. (I call it a dramedy because it's not a romcom, and it's not entirely a comedy although there are some laugh-out-loud lines - it's in the same extended family of films like Carnal Knowledge and Sideways.).

Overall, a really enjoyable film, one that's smart, sweet, and surprising - you gotta see this one.