DVD Review - Life Partners

This movie reminded me of Frances Ha but makes the lesbian subtext more on the surface. Director and co-writer Susanna Fogel opens with two girls in a gay pride parade. One girl is gay and the other is straight. They are the best of friends. They like each other so much that it might be hindering them from getting love interests of their own.

Gillian Jacobs (Community) stars as Paige, a lawyer who is a bit neurotic, a bit pushy and stubborn but a sweet and funny girl. Leighton Meester (Gossip Girl) co-stars as Sasha, a secretary who used to be an aspiring musician but who lost a lot of hope. Paige is straight and Sasha is gay, but both are not good at dating. Arguably, Sasha is worse.

Adam Brody (The O.C.) plays Tim, the guy who becomes Paige's new boyfriend. He's a good guy, but he awkwardly steps in between Paige and Sasha's close bond. Tim interrupts the rituals that really tie the two together. As such, the two begin to separate. Ultimately, it's all a test to see how bonded the two are and how they overcome their issues to come back together. Brody is a good foil or instrument for the two women. Even when he's doing things that are annoying, he's still lovable.

Frances Ha is more nuanced whereas this is more broadly comedic. The funny moments are more outright and bold. They're more underlined, yet all of it works. Jacobs and Meester are lovely and hilarious most of the time, but they can turn and deliver some great dramatic moments too.

Oscar-nominee Gabby Sidibe (Precious) is good but little utilized. Mark Feuerstein (Royal Pains) has a good supporting role but is also little utilized. The same could be said about Simone Bailly who plays Angelica. Abby Elliott (Saturday Night Live) who plays Vanessa, a potential, new girlfriend for Sasha, is a scene-stealer. Vanessa got me to laugh every time.

Five Stars out of Five.
Rated R for language and some sexual content.
Running Time: 1 hr. and 32 mins.