Band Aid

This film was such a pleasant surprise. It was really refreshing to watch two people who could be from my life and to have conversations that seemed real. Not clichéd or cheesy. The chemistry between the lead characters is incredible. I had to google to see if they really were in a relationship! Much enjoyed Friday night in, kind of uplifting film.

Nothing on so saw this and figured why not, so glad I did was a good movie didn't pull out my iPad once during it. Had a good story, well acted and I liked the songs too good rhythms. Worth a watch

Greetings again from the darkness. "Where words fail, music speaks." Danish author Hans Christian Andersen wrote those words more than 150 years ago, and he surely never imagined a 21st century California couple would prove true the adage. Zoe Lister-Jones (a regular on TV's "Whitney") has been acting regularly since 2004, and this is her first "all in" film project where she is writer/director/producer/lead actress. Her talent as a writer is evident in a topic assumed close to her heart: thirty-something angst.

Ms. Lister-Jones stars as Anna, a disenchanted Uber driver who is married to super slobby slacker Ben played by Adam Pally (Slow Learners, 2015). These two seem perfectly matched – or would be, if not for the constant bickering over anything and everything. Before you assume this is a remake of the ultra-depressing Revolutionary Road (2008), please note that the two leads are incredibly funny people and masters of witty one-liners. They make marital squabbles quite entertaining, once they decide to form a band with the sole purpose of singing their arguments.

Admittedly, it's a shaky premise, but these two manage to pull it off with help from neighbor/drummer/sex addict "Weird Dave" (Fred Armisen). Along the way, they take shots at their friends' exuberance over babies, the Holocaust, a kid named ISIS, pizza, dirty dishes, a mousetrap, sex, drugs, and art. They even bring levity to a marriage counseling scene featuring Retta ("Parks and Recreation").

Just as impressive as the humor is how the film balances the drama associated with lingering depression tied to the trauma of a miscarriage. This and the couple's inability to communicate their emotions are what drive their marital challenges. For a short time, the 'argument music' seems to improve their relationship, but it's obvious that the real issue must be dealt with. Enter Ben's mom (Susie Essman), whose only scene serves the purpose of explaining women to Ben and all the dumb guys in the audience.

There are actually quite a few familiar faces (many with ties to "Life in Pieces") that appear in only one or two scenes: Chris D'Elia, Ravi Patel, the aforementioned Retta, Majandra Delfino, Jesse Williams, Colin Hanks, Brooklyn Decker, Erinn Hayes, Jamie Chung, Hannah Simone, and Angelique Cabral. These quick hit scenes serve as a dose of reality, as "moments" are what make up life … even if many interactions are "crazy" (D'Elia) or creepy (Williams).

The film was well received at Sundance, and it immediately marks Zoe Lister-Jones as a filmmaker to watch. Her comedic presence is a rarity, and is complimented nicely by her musical talent, and her willingness to hit serious topics head-on. Here, she offers a woman's perspective on having kids, being questioned about having kids, and traditional women's roles within society and marriage. Her inspired observations (a spontaneous jam session at the kid's birthday party) are a welcome addition to today's cinema, while also offering a west coast contrast to east coast indie film.

Band Aid is a musical comedy that starts off very light hearted, fun and quirky but ends up discussing genuine marital issues, what it means to be in a long term relationship with someone and getting over loss. All the while incorporating great, entertaining music.

Starring Zoe Lister-Jones, Adam Pally and Ravi Patel the cast captures their respective characters very well, the two leads initially managing to capture the constant bickering of long married couples brilliantly in an almost too mundane but authentic way. While also managing the tenderness and genuinity of their relationship in several scenes that shows the love and care between the two.

The film's first half is indeed quirky and fun as the characters from this band and begin singing about their arguments and what they hate about each other. There is a growing debate between the two as Pally's Ben considers himself a realistic and Lister-Jones' Anna is the 'dreamer' this conflict of characters drives most of the drama and conflict of the film but is also what ends up bringing them together towards the end of the film where the film takes a more serious turn discussing the ideas of meeting a middle ground and of compromise.

Band Aid is a fun microcosmic view of human romantic relationships, a meditation of what it means to be with someone and issues of loss and the role of emotions. While also managing to discuss gender roles and the different ideologies that men as men hold and women as women hold, there is something very tender, soft but philosophical in the discussions of the film. Making Band aid a feel-good type watch that isn't taxing at all, a very easy watch.

This movie was comedy versus drama mediated perfectly with music. A wonderful film.