Peter and Vandy

I saw this film at the Waterfront Film Festival and was very impressed. The script is very sharp; it was both the funniest and most moving film I saw at the festival, and was filled with acutely observed moments and truths about relationships. The direction and acting were also superb. In particular Jess Weixler turned in an amazing complex and nuanced performance as Vandy.

I would highly recommend this film. It is an auspicious first film for writer/director Jay DiPietro.

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This is a really nice little indie romance from writer/director Jay DiPietro, with two of the most attractive young talents in films - both Weixler and Ritter are irresistibly likable and the film is well written and is photographed (by Frank DeMarco) with wit and polish in a quality production. Ritter's excellent work in "Good Dick," is carried on here and why Weixler is not a bigger Hollywood personality is beyond me (and I've been reviewing movies professionally since 1981). She is smart, has depth, and has a fascinating look. He is an actor with a gift for naturalism. They are very much in sync in this cleverly woven Manhattan tale.

Peter and Vandy is a real life comedy/drama about the challenges of a couple who while trying to get to know one another, learn a lot about themselves too. They are able to do this by being vulnerable and honest with each other during the uncomfortable early stages of a new relationship. This refreshingly honest portrayal of the difficulties of being the real "you" is captured in this film. Peter is a anxious young man who takes everything personally. He finds his self worth in the opinions of others and struggles to grow in autonomy and self acceptance. Vandy is brutally honest with her thoughts and this challenges Peter to question his perception of who he is. He is only able to focus on his flaws. Vandy helps him to see his strengths too. Vandy is a young woman who loves to be needed. All she wants to do is help Peter be the best that he can be. She soon realizes that she can not fix him. She needs to allow him to fix himself while she focuses on her own self image. She struggles with the need to be loved with her own flaws. Together they are able to challenge themselves and each other to embrace imperfection and focus on their strengths. The movie helps us to see the courage involved in making the decision to stay together or separate. You find yourself rooting for them to make it!

Just saw Peter and Vandy at Sundance, and I'm hoping it gets picked up for distribution. This was one of the most realistic movie relationships I've ever seen, and the actors are spot on. As the director said in Q&A this morning, the stars could convey so much with a single look that he was able to cut various small chunks of dialog from the original script. I won't ruin this film by telling you whether the ending is a happy or sad one, but it's definitely a real one.

Don't be put off by the knowledge that the film bounces back and forth in time. At first you think that this is just a cute stylistic choice, but before long you come to believe that the story requires it. Just when you think you know what's going on and what's going to happen, there's another time shift and you discover that all your assumptions were wrong. It adds a number of very welcome surprises, the kind that you don't expect in a romantic comedy.

Highly recommended.

These are vignettes of the relationship between Peter (Jason Ritter) and Vandy (Jess Weixler) in Manhattan. It jumps around in their story from their meeting at the park, their fighting married friends Paul (Jesse L. Martin) and Marissa (Tracie Thoms), their petty fights, their break-up and their post break-up.

I love Ritter and Weixler. They are able to create some good chemistry at times. Martin and Thoms are a fun battling couple but it's too bad that they don't get many scenes. This is a short 80 minutes and it feels like a little thin. There needs to be something more. Ritter and Weixler could have done more but it's still good.