Confusions of an Unmarried Couple

The Butler Brothers have once again produced a very well-made and highly enjoyable film. Having seen their first two films (Alive and Lubricated, and Bums) I was eager to get my hands on Confusions of an Unmarried Couple, and it certainly met the high expectations I've set for these talented filmmakers. Confusions is a very entertaining, very smart and undoubtedly very funny film. The dialogue between Dan (Brett Butler) and Lisa (Naomi Johnson) is incredibly well written and executed. The process of learning both sides of their story contributes to the development of an engaging, and amusing story, which oftentimes switches from very poignant moments to downright hilarious moments. I purchased this film in Toronto, and have since brought it out West to Vancouver, where I know I'm doing a great service to my friends by introducing them to the genius works of the Butler Brothers. Unsurprisingly, everyone has loved this film so far! One of my favourites!

The Butler Bros. continue to amaze me. As filmmakers, they have a mental library of great directors they draw upon to make their own works. More importantly, I never feel that they are unworthy of the significant comparisons.

Take the Bros. newest film Confusions of an Unmarried Couple, for example. The influences of John Cassavetes are unmistakable. It's easily the strongest film to date from two of the strongest voices in indie film. But that also means it's time for them to step it up to the next level of film-making.

Confusions follows Dan, who months after finding his girlfriend Lisa in bed with another girl decides to collect his belongings from the apartment they shared. Apparently looking for a confrontation, Dan makes sure that Lisa is home before he barges in. An argument, months in the making, it lives up to everything a knock-down, drag out relationship fight should be, right down the sex part.

Confusions is the Butler Bros. most inspired and most flawed achievement. It's inspired because the Brothers take their usual topic (a break-up) and turn it into a fresh cinéma vérité relationship film. The life and intimacy in the production that differentiates the Brothers' work from the films that inspire them.

But the Brothers have outgrown the style that made them famous. In an interview with co-director Brett Butler, Brett said that he and his brother Jason have matured, but their characters haven't. It's apparent on screen. The story doesn't need the Butlers' signature humor, which is rooted in debates groups of friends, not two lovers, would have. Some of the lines just fall flat. In spite of that, the film holds together.

Maybe it's the aggressive intimacy that makes the film work. The Brothers are able to dig up conscious and subconscious insecurities in their characters. The devastating honesty in the interviews with Lisa and Dan (made into a documentary by Dan's fictional brother) goes beyond the pop culture references to Sixteen Candles or Angelina Jolie.

I would hate to pull another Kevin Smith comparison out for the Butler Bros., but I will only as a warning. Confusions of an Unmarried Couple, through all of its inspiration and artistry, could end up being the Butlers' Chasing Amy if they don't proceed cautiously from here. Sure, they don't have Ben Affleck, but Confusions is the type of soul-searching project that can make or break a filmmaker.

Before he made Clerks 2, Smith's films had an empty quality to them based in his inability to leave something behind. When he made Clerks 2, he wasn't just revisiting; he was growing. The Butler Bros. are on the verge. They've already proved they are ready to grow beyond their first two productions with the refreshing addition of Ryan Noel as sound and music guy. All I'm asking now is for the Brothers to move past what they are doing and finally make that indie masterpiece that I know they have in them.

I loved this film. I attended the Indiana University of South Bend Independent Video and Film Festival and was so impressed with this film that was created by a couple of great guys (had the chance to speak with them a bit - very genuine). The movie was so funny and entertaining. I already had it in my mind who I was going to vote for for the audience choice award but then I watched this film and changed my vote. Watch it if you can! There were some laugh out loud funny moments. Many actually. The acting was done in such a way that it didn't really seem like they were acting. Some of the dialogue and banter back and forth is just "spot on" with some relationship drama that I have experienced.

The latest Butler Bros. Brew, Confusions of an Unmarried Couple is a treat likened to finding the last brewsky in the ice chest, or enough roaches in the ashtray to make one last doob. A woman who doesn't know what she wants, a man who knows what he wants but can't have it, two ingenious brothers from Toronto who know exactly what they want, what we want, and how to pass it to us without a bogey. Brett and Jason lead us into a searing and hysterical foray through the functions of a dysfunctional couple who are on the precipice of either marriage or disaster (is there a difference?), blending a unique twist on breaking up into a mash of self-discovery and self-absorbency.

Lisa and Dan were a happy couple experiencing the life of love and laughter until Dan proposed. Lisa was so happy that she had to share the news with her old friend Jill who just happened to call. As often does, excitement of the heart led to excitement of the body and Jill happened to be available. Dan came home to what could have been a manly fantasy, but disturbed him beyond reason. Several months of video rehab with his brother, a few pranks and a lot of beer later, Dan confronts Lisa, and the match is on. The interaction of the couple is reflective of the post breakup meet ups of scores of people through the years, the dysfunction undeniably real. Dan's brother provides "documentary" evidence of the meeting along with flashbacks and running commentary by each party.

Working without a Hollywood budget means working because you love the work. That sensibility is evident in each Butler Brew, and 'Confusions of an Unmarried Couple' is no exception. Yes, there is profanity. Deal with it. The reality of relationships is that emotions get going and grammar is gone. The reality on steroids is what makes the film such a fun jaunt. Dan (Brett Butler), torn between his love for Lisa (Naomi Johnson) and his moral stance that cheating is cheating despite male fantasy, is portrayed believably and with true emotion; the keyword here being believably. Sure we could have had Vince Vaughn do the dialogue in a typical west coast format, but then we would lose the essence and have an entirely different movie.

I have heard the arguments that "this is a story about messed up relationships is old territory covered many, many times", and I have to ask myself the question, "Is there anything TRULY new coming out of Hollywood?" No. Formulas work and have for 90 years. Again, deal with it.

For anyone seeking a good laugh at a painful subject which nearly all of us have experienced at one time or another, 'Confusions' is a smart, witty ride that will leave you grateful that the indie isn't dead.

Pass me a cold one, and kill the lights.

Confusions of an Unmarried Couple is like the independent antidote to the sickening Hollywood rom-com. This is a funny and intelligent look at the dysfunctional relationship between two real people, no sugar coating, no bull and lots of laughs.

We open with a dishevelled Dan as he lies rotting on the couch, drinking beer, wallowing in bitterness and scratching the days since his break up with Lisa off his calendar. Dan and Lisa were in a relationship, in fact they had just gotten engaged when Dan came home from work one night and caught Lisa in bed with another woman. He left her and we pick up the story a while later when Dan decides to go back and confront her.

The film plays out in a series of recorded interviews, documentary style, with both characters and then the main thread of action which focuses on Dan's return to their home and the resulting conversation which quickly descends into an emotional argument. Dan and Lisa are the only two characters in the film but there is easily enough going on between them to hold your interest. The documentary style blurs into the action and is surprisingly effective mainly because the script is really sharp and witty.

The film was made by the Butler Brothers, Brett and Jason, and Brett stars as Dan. These guys are genuine independent film makers with very little in the way of budget and other than the music they seem to have done the whole thing themselves.

I'd highly recommend this, it made me laugh out loud more than once.