Being Awesome

Memphis, Tennessee, actor Allen C. Gardner made his writing-directing debut with the appealing, Kevin Smithesque Act One: a film regarding the trials and tribulations of a struggling screenwriter. Here, in his directing debut and third writing credit, the worlds' of the most popular and least popular guys in school, collide.

Gardner is Teddy: a struggling high school graduate dealing with his fading "big man on campus" status as he attends his 10th reunion. There he meets his opposite, the invisible, least popular of his graduating class, Lloyd: a sad-sack, divorced high school teacher.

In high school, of course, Teddy and Lloyd weren't friends. Ten years later, they quickly discover they now have -- and had -- more in common than they realize. Together, they learn that their respective failures are rooted in their each "expecting too much from life," as they come to learn the key to happiness is not "being awesome," but "being worthy" to themselves and others.

While this is an industry calling card for every-growing resume of Allen C. Gardner, he steps back and gives a co-leading man status to the dynamite Drew Smith. Smith's charisma carries Being Awesome across the finish line (he reminds of one of a young Paul Giamatti, when he first came to our attention by way of the incredibly underrated American Splendor and delightful the wine county-road tripper, Sideways). Smith's an actor to watch out for, as you can easily see him as part of a network comedy ensemble.

There is a charm to how this acting ensemble tells the story--the story of how friends relate to each other ten years down the road--after the hills, the valleys, the twists, the turns, the curves, the fender-benders, the collisions, the stuck-in-traffic for days, weeks, months or years. A unique sense of humor can bond people, can make or break a friendship. Humor is a coping mechanism we all depend on, like it or not, and Gardner, well aware of this, tells our stories as he tells his own (and those of the other characters.) This pays off in a total lack of pretentiousness, which is why we love these people.

A movie men and women can truly appreciate. Appeals to a wide audience. Very realistic.

I found this movie on Amazon Prime and decided to give it a try. I was immediately pulled in by the smart dialogue, deep characters and relatable story. Who hasn't woken up dissatisfied with their lives and decided to be awesome? True story. I enjoyed this movie so much that I watched it alone one afternoon then watched it again that evening with my wife. What can I say? It's funny, smart, poignant and entertaining. My only question is why aren't the filmmakers famous yet?

I can't help but say: best movie ever. No gimmicks, Real life story. Great acting, editing and directing. Great photography. And that on a budget. True dedication to tell a story with no frills and no exageration and be original too.