Review by joythirstpop

This movie won't shake your world necessarily, but it does explore necessary-to-life meaningful themes. It's not super high budget, a thrill ride, a romance, a comedy, or anything it like that. It is probably most realistic in terms of things that real people might actually experience, which might turn people off who would prefer primarily to be entertained or excited by movies (maybe to escape real life instead of examining it? but, we all need that sometimes). It also has a lot of kind of interesting from-the-ground Portland vibes without romanticizing it or purposefully exploring it in any way, which for me I appreciate more than can be said for the vibe I get from some other Pac NW movies (or "Portlandia").

This movie actually has some meaning and feeling put into it, and isn't at all overly or overtly infected with the now declining or completely dead trend of what was once hipster-dom. And, being that this movie came out when it did, it would've been very easy for it to have been made like that, and it most likely would have had much more attention or success. Instead, the people who made this movie chose to make something more honest, and I think that's cool and commendable.

I will be honest, I mainly watched it because it had James Mercer in it (though Brownstein is alright too), and I love the Shins. Never heard of this movie except by accident surfing IMDB. Considering that, this movie could have been a whole hell of a lot worse. So, as a pleasant surprise, I will remember it positively.

I feel like its overall rating is unfair and may turn away people who may otherwise enjoy it. So, don't be afraid to give it a chance, if you can find a way to watch it!