Peter and Vandy

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!

This was bloody fantastic. Beautiful. Not overdone, just perfect, with its simplicities, complexities, nuances, tremors and silences. Why 6? I really don't understand it. I cannot imagine anyone voting for lesser than 7 for this one at least. Strong leads, poignant, perfect emotions, and a fulfilling ending. Overwhelms, in a happy, warm way that nudges you, but doesn't push you over. Control and release, repeat.

This is a rant that is from the obvious movie rush that I am suffering from. I probably won't stop.

Nevermind. I will make my point here, once again-please do watch it. It hurts in a sweet, sweet way. Yes.

I had a chance to see "Peter and Vandy" at the Gen Art Film Festival a few months back and heard it's coming out in theaters in a few weeks. I'm happy it found distribution cause I really enjoyed this film. It's a quirky love story told out of sequence. If you think this sounds a bit like "500 Days of Summer," you're kind of right. The thing is, I actually liked "Peter and Vandy" better. At times I found "500 Days of Summer" a bit too clever for its own good, although I dug the film. "Peter and Vandy" doesn't resort to the type of sight gags that bogged down "Summer." This is a simpler and more heartfelt story, and I appreciated that. It's an enjoyable film that's worth seeing.

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.

Yes this is a bit like 500 days of Summer but without the gimmicks. What I didn't like about 500 days of Summer was that the characters were too compatible at times and suddenly became incompatible for no reason.

In Peter and Vandy, however, the problems between the two are always there in the background. The characters may not understand what's happening but the audience can certainly see the seeds of discord.

The dialogue is touching and real, when they are getting along, when they are fighting, when they are learning about each other and when they truly know each other. The fight over the pb and j was brilliant.

Ritter and Weixler give subtle and believable performances. Rather than overwrought Oscar dialogue, simple looks and glances expressed their hope, hurt, happiness and disappointment. A very refreshing change.

Highly recommended for anyone who loves a good romantic story that tugs on the heartstrings and brings tears to your eyes, without insulting your intelligence.