DRINKING BUDDIES
US, 2013, 90 minutes, Colour.
Olivia Wilde, Jake Johnson, Anna Kendrick, Ron Livingston, Ti West, Jason Sudeikis, Joe Swanberg.
Directed by Joe Swanberg.
Drinking Buddies is a small, independent film, written and directed by Joe Swanberg (who appears in this film as the cantankerous driver fighting with Luke, who is helping to move his friends, Kate’s, furniture).
The action takes place over a couple of weeks, focusing on Kate (Olivia Wilde) who works as secretary and part-manager at a beer factory. She is good at her job, liaising with other companies, making sales, continually on the phone. But she is also asked to do other jobs, like preparing a social party for the company and prospective customers. At work, she has a good friend in Luke (Jake Johnson) who works on the floor of the factory. They joke together, have lunches together, and join other workers in having a beer after work.
They are all drinking buddies, and a genial look at drinking buddies rather than just watching gatherings to have drink after drink. These people have their drink, enjoy the conversation, enjoy the company, crack jokes, and build up a good spirit in their factory.
The film also shows two sets of relationships. Kate is involved with recording executive Chris (Ron Livingston) who seems to get on well with Kate and she with him. The other pair is Luke and his partner, Jill (Anna Kendrick). Jill is a Special Ed teacher, committed to her work. And committed to Luke.
The two couples go together for a vocation to the mountains. On a hike, Chris is attracted to Jill, having admired her for her work and dedication, and they kiss. That’s all. But, of course, there are repercussions.
Jill goes away to sort out her relationship with Chris. In the meantime, Luke enjoys Kate’s company, helps her to clean up the apartment she is leaving, helps her with the removal of her goods and furniture – though he cuts his hand with a nail and she has to call in some of the other men from the factory to help her. This does not please Luke and they fall out about their plans for dinner after their work.
The final scene is very low key, action rather than words, but a gently pleasing end to this story of work and relationships in the lives of the various buddies, drinking or not.
1. An independent film, small-budget? Slice of life? The blend of the serious and humorous?
2. The title, the tone? The drinking scenes, work, friends? Easy friendships?
3. The city, the beer factory, offices, the party, homes, bars, apartments, the holiday house in the country? The musical score?
4. Kate’s story, Olivia Wilde and her presence? Age, experience, at work, the phone calls and liaisons, the invitations to the party, the preparation, the party itself? Her boss and his giving her jobs? Discussions? The relationship with Chris, love, the affair, eight months? His different life? Hers? taking him to the party, connections, friendship with Luke and Jill?
5. Chris, his life, recordings, his manner, relationship, at home, Kate into spending the night, going to the party, the drinks, she busy during the party? Going to the late for the holiday? The two couples? The hike was Jill, sitting, the kiss? Leading to the separation?
6. Luke, his type, appearance, at work, friends with Kate, the drinks and jokes, lunches, buddies? His relationship with Jill, his commitment? His wisecracks? Go on holiday? At home, Jill packing, going on the trip? Going to help Kate, cleaning the house, eating, spending the night, the moving, helping, the nail in his hand, his reactions? The clash at the end, David and his help, Kate wanting to drink with them? The fight with the angry driver? His not liking Dave and the others, the clash, the mutual hurt?
7. Relationships, friendships, sharing, sexual relationships, platonic relationships?
8. Jill, the return from the holiday, herb weeping, confessing the truth to Luke, strengthening their relationship will not?
9. The final lunch, sharing the chips and banana – and a pleasing ending, that friendships can overcome hurts?
