Plot
When a group of old college friends reunite over a long weekend after one of them attempts suicide, old crushes and resentments shine light on their life decisions, and ultimately push friendships and relationships to the brink.
Release Year: 2014
Rating: 5.6/10 (124 voted)
Critic's Score: 46/100
Director: Jesse Zwick
Stars: Nate Parker, Jason Ritter, Maggie Grace
Storyline
'About Alex' is the story of seven college friends who reunite over a three-day weekend, after one of them attempts suicide. When the friends get together to keep an eye on Alex, the weekend that ensues will renew old crushes and resentments, shine light on bad decisions, and ultimately push friendships and relationships to the brink as the group tries to speculate when the simple life of their college years turned so muddy and complex. Sometimes irreverent, sometimes poetic, and always moving, About Alex is a searingly honest look at the changing nature of adult friendship in the Facebook/Twitter generation.
Cast: Nate Parker -
Ben
Jason Ritter -
Alex
Maggie Grace -
Siri
Max Greenfield -
Josh
Aubrey Plaza -
Sarah
Max Minghella -
Isaac
Jane Levy -
Kate
Adam Saunders -
Night Editor
Rey Lucas -
Rudy Suárez
Devon -
Timmy the Dog
Taglines:
Sex #Jealousy #Wine #Regret - After all, what are friends for?
Large ensembles have the opportunity to say different things from
different characters. Before screening at Tribeca, many were calling
this "our generation's" Big Chill from 1984, which was directed by
Lawrence Kasdan and nominated for three Academy Awards including Best
Picture. While there are obvious similarities in the number of people
who are present, and themes surrounding love and death, newcomer Jesse
Zwick, son of producer/director Edward Zwick, pours his heart and soul
into each frame and reinvents a masterful motion picture. About Alex is
a raw and beautiful morality piece about where the late twenty-
somethings are presently. I loved nearly every second.
About Alex tells the story of seven friends who reunite over a
three-day weekend after one of them attempts suicide. As the friends
take shifts to watch their unpredictable old friend Alex, past and new
feelings come to the surface.
An all-star is assembled that includes Aubrey Plaza (NBC's "Park and
Recreation"), Maggie Grace (Taken), Max Minghella (The Social Network),
Nate Parker (Arbitrage), Jason Ritter (Freddy vs. Jason), Max
Greenfield (FOX's "New Girl"), and Jane Levy (ABC's "Suburgatory").
Each one of the actor's know their parts, actions, motivations, and
completely immerse themselves in the characters. In particular, the
standouts include Greenfield, who continues to steal every frame, from
every show or film he's in, and Plaza, who takes on a new departure for
herself and succeeds.
Jesse Zwick, for his first writing and directorial feature, shows much
promise of what could be an elaborate career. He handles his scenes
with firm hands and a watchful eye of what he chooses to show and not
show the viewer. He allows the surroundings, both inside and outside,
become two new characters for the audience to embrace. Everything put
together in About Alex is simply impressive.
There are some technical hiccups that the film suffers from. Choices
made by the film's editor doesn't smoothly transition from one scene to
the other. As independent films go, the film stands tall on its own
merits but I would have liked a more polished final product.
All in all, About Alex is an absolute dream. Full of laughs and tears,
the film raises the bar for this type of genre. It's a thoughtful piece
that will have admirers for years to come. It's the best cast ensemble
seen this year and of the Tribeca Film Festival.
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