Advanced Chemistry

Advanced Chemistry is a fun comedy and a great vehicle for Samba Schutte, best known as Roach on Our Flag Means Death. Schutte played Allen, a biochemist who doesn't have much with the ladies, and so develops a drug that - with any luck - will remedy the situation.

Excellent supporting cast, including Chauntte Wayans, as Allen's bestie. Marcia, Kieran Deol, as Allen's work colleague, Lisa, and Sarah Burns, playing Marcia's wife, Sarah.

Written by Alec Moore and directed by Etana Jacobsen, Advanced Chemistry is the perfect film for a Rainey afternoon, when you just want to chill and have a relax.

This movie had me laughing from beginning to end -- laughing out loud. The hapless hero, a well-intentioned young man, finds himself in progressively more catastrophic situations and needs to take ever more extreme measures to bail himself out. The foibles of modern relationships gets a good working over in the process. The screenplay snaps and pops, zipping along at a galloping pace, but always sharp and clever. The actors, all unknowns to me, are well cast and up to the task. The movie is a satirical take on research labs and modern love. I enjoyed this movie from beginning to end.

This is a very funny film. Cute characters, engaging story. I really enjoyed all of the mix-ups of love interest. It's A Midsummer Night's Dream for the modern age. Clever situations that create all kinds of mayhem. The situations are both classic and contemporary; I could definitely see young people I know getting involved in these roles. (There is a particularly funny bit involving a chicken man.) A very entertaining way to spend a couple of hours just relaxing and enjoying the unfolding action. The writing is particularly funny, and everyone makes the most of the setups. Highly recommended!

So first off, I would like to say that Samba Schutte is an absolute gem. Please put that man in more leading roles because his comedy is top notch, and I always have a great time watching him on screen. His air guitar is fabulous too!

Overall I think the film was a lot of fun, and very sweet! I loved Chaunte Wayans, Sarah Burns, and Kiran Deol so much! It played heavily on Midsummer's Night Dream, and seemed to be poking fun at quite a lot of romantic comedy tropes (I'm actually amazed at how many it hit!). I love a good satire, and there were definitely some fun call outs to other films.

It's a feel good movie, with over the top humor, and silly antics-- and if you're looking for something chill and silly with some LGBTQ+ themes and a happy ending, it's a nice pick!

The one thing I will mention is I think the film is trying very hard to talk about cheating-- not specifically monogamy but they use the word monogamy a lot. They don't broach the subject of true polyamory (I. E: polyamory where all parties are aware and complicit with multiple partners), but instead it's focused on "cheating" with a major character having multiple partners without the knowledge of their wife knowing. Just a heads up!

Overall, it's a fantastic film, with lots of different characters I actually care about (which is hard for a romantic comedy in my opinion!) -- and seeing real character growth in so many was really enjoyable. Oh, and some ridiculous physical comedy that I have to admire too. Everyone involved was hilarious-- and I loved the outtakes at the end!

Do yourself a favor and watch this movie paying attention to all of the physical comedy both in the background and foreground. It is so hilariously camp. The line delivery and pacing is also spot on. Samba Schutte needs more lead roles.

The movie was also really sweet too in addition to its silliness. I particularly appreciated how Lisa's germophobia was funny not as the brunt of a hurtful joke but as a sweet part of her character and her relationship with Allen.

As a side note, I had seen just one take that thought the movie was poly-phobic, and as a polyamorous person with multiple partners, I disagree. The movie just didn't have anything to do with polyamory - it deals with cheating, which (obviously) is not the same as polyamory.