Can a couple stuck in a professional and marital rut survive a wine country weekend with über wealthy friends? That’s the premise of Michael Tennant’s surprise SXSW hit Pretty Problems. The imaginative yet surprisingly grounded romp won accolades at various film festivals, including Maui Film Festival’s Narrative Feature Comedy award, Best English Language Feature Film at the Sonoma International Film Festival, and ReFrame’s “ReFrame Stamp” Feature. The film managed to also take home the coveted SXSW Film Festival Audience Award in the Narrative Spotlight slot.
As the writer, producer, and co-star of the film, Tennant teamed with fellow screenwriters Britt Rentschler and Charlotte Ubben, and director Kestrin Pantera (Mother’s Little Helpers). The story tracks a slippery vulnerability spiral experienced by Lindsay (Rentschler) and Jack (Tennant) when they head to a plush Sonoma château with affluent strangers, only to wind up questioning nearly everything about their relationship and their economic status. If The Hangover and Bridesmaids spawned a disaffected middle-aged baby, this would be it.
Cheers to the Mess We’ve Made of Things
Class clashes were brilliantly explored in Triangle of Sadness, directed by Ruben Östlund. In Pretty Problems, that theme enters into more familiar territory, giving audiences more relatable characters by way of Jack and Lindsay, a couple at a crossroads. Life in the boudoir has fizzled — the two are not able to orgasm together and have come to accept it. Meanwhile, they both seem stuck in a middle-class malaise. Jack is selling solar panels, much to his dismay; Lindsay sells clothing, although she longs to be a designer.
A bright hope appears in the form of a confident customer named Cat (J.J. Nolan), who has as much sass as she does flash. Cat is also wealthy, so why not accept her invite to Sonoma County for a weekend getaway with some of Cat’s very affluent friends. Jack doesn’t initially take to that idea but alas, he gives in and wanders around like an exposed wound.
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Clearly, he’s out of his league here, or so he thinks. Cat’s hubby, Matt (Graham Outerbridge) is slick, suave, well-dressed and, well, everything Jack is not. Matt’s prep-school hanger-on Kerry (Alex Klein doing his best in a stereotypical role) is just as bro-wealthy. His counterpart Carrie (Charlotte Ubben) seems to be floating along for the ride, pouring alcohol along the way.
This initial set-up offers a nice opportunity to create a fish-out-of-water comedy that finds Jack flailing around at every turn. Fortunately, that premise doesn’t lose steam. Surprisingly, Tennant’s writing manages to keep things relatively grounded even during outlandish scenes that would otherwise fall flat in execution. That’s great news, because there’s nothing more off-putting than watching an over-the-top comedy spiral out of control. Here, the solid writing and directing, along with the exceptional ensemble, make this indie film a worthy investment.
Great Script, Fabulous Actors
IFC Films
One of the most refreshing if not endearing qualities of Michael Tennant’s script and the way director Kestrin Pantera executes it, is that it feels as if improvisation was encouraged. This seems most evident in Jack’s vulnerable nature. As Lindsay begins enjoying herself, Jack suddenly fears he’s losing her to Cat, and in turn, to a much wealthier lifestyle. A country club scene plays out well as do all the scenes in the plush and scenic château. It’s far too much for Jack to handle.
The ensemble cast here shines. It’s refreshing to watch each character inhabit the scenes they’ve been offered with a breezy sense of ownership. J.J. Nolan could have played Cat way over the top but manages to infuse into her character a groovy sense of charm and class. Rentschler, who also co-wrote the script, has command of Lindsay, too. We know this woman. We’ve had conversations with her. When Lindsay realizes that she went to high school with one of the servants hired for the weekend (Clayton Froning), the hilarity that ultimately ensues is perfection.
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The third act of the film is anchored by a themed party that finds all characters slipping into other roles, and Jack, loosening up a bit, sure, but somehow creating such a stir that it sends him and Lindsay into uncharted waters. Fun to watch all that play out.
Tenant reportedly birthed this tale from his own failing marriage and set out to create a story he wanted to star in. That sense of taking command of one’s life is peppered throughout Pretty Problems, even in its wealthy characters. In fact, there’s always something a bit more to be uncovered about everybody as the weekend goes on. It’s as if Tennant is saying that maybe everybody tends to wear “costumes” and play “dress up.”
At the end of the day, however, it’s really about being honest and making connection. Until then, these kinds of antics are fun to watch, especially here, where Pantera spins a fabulous comedy that offers just the right mix of dark humor and quirky joie de vivre.
Pretty Problems debuts on Hulu July 13, courtesy of IFC Films.
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