WHO’S IN IT?
Olivia Wilde (Tron Legacy), Jake Johnson (21 Jump Street), Anna Kendrick (Up In The Air), Ron Livingston (Office Space), Ti West (You’re Next), Jason Sudeikis (We’re The Millers)
WHO’S BEHIND THE CAMERA?
Joe Swanberg (Art History), director, writer, producer, editor; Paul Bernon (An Oversimplification of Her Beauty), Andrea Roa (Booster), Sam Slater (film debut) and Alicia Van Couvering (Tiny Furniture), producers; Ben Richardson (Beasts of the Southern Wild), cinematographer
WHAT’S IT ABOUT?
Kate and Luke (Wilde and Johnson respectively) are co-workers at a brewery where they spend their days drinking and flirting with each other. They are simply perfect for each other, except for the fact that they’re both already in committed relationships. Luke is discussing marriage plans with his girlfriend of six years Jill (Kendrick), while Kate is keeping things cool with her music producer boyfriend Chris (Livingston). With complications abound for both parties, the only thing that seems to keep the line between “friends” and “lovers” blurry is a good old fashioned beer…
WHY SHOULD YOU BE EXCITED?
Ever wanted to sit down with a cold one in your hand and watch a film about people with a cold one in their hands? No? Well, too bad, you’ve now got Drinking Buddies to pay attention to.
Already something of a small hit on the independent film circuit, especially since its debut at the Texas SXSW (that’d be South by Southwest) Film Festival, the film has won over the hearts of many with some engaging characters, touching drama and a whole lot of beer.
Holding it all together as the lead couple are Olivia Wilde and Jake Johnson, both with flexible credits behind them with this only being another major milestone in their rise upwards. Wilde, perhaps best known for her roles in TV shows like House and films like Tron Legacy and Rush (the latter in which she displayed a flawless British accent), takes a smaller step forward by featuring in a more miniscule movie than those but her presence is always exhilarating and she dominates the screen whenever possible. Johnson, on the other hand, doesn’t have as much presence in Film Land as of yet, save for a small memorable role as a long-suffering high school principal in 21 Jump Street, but is better regarded in the world of television with an acclaimed lead role in New Girl, opposite Zooey Deschanel.
Their co-stars, on the other hand, have had more of a presence in the film world over the years. Ron Livingston is still regarded for his lead role in the cult comedy Office Space, while Anna Kendrick… good God, do we even need to explain why about her? A successful stage career by the age of 12, appearances in dozens of highly regarded cult films (and Twilight), and an Oscar nomination for her supporting role in Jason Reitman’s Up In The Air. Now these are the kind of people you’d want to sit down and have a drink with, and director-writer Joe Swanberg must have been happy to have them all on the couch for shooting.
A nice, relaxed alternative movie to enjoy at the cinema, with its own characters and story to boot, Drinking Buddies is a chilled experience that only the best of buds can get a kick out of seeing whenever they get the chance. And now, thanks to more and more cinemas opening up the restrictions of concessions to allow alcohol to be bought at the tills, you can actually have the option to go into your screen with a nice, cold beer in your hand for added maximum effect. But please, drink responsibly.
