Anna et Ben

"Band Aid" (2017 release; 93 min.) brings the story of Anna and Ben. As the movie opens, Anna and Ben, a married couple, are arguing over the dishes that are left sitting in the kitchen sink. "You are quite the dish Nazi", Ben screams to Anna, who does not take it well. "I come from a long line of Holocaust survivors!", she retorts. When they go to Anna's best friend's party celebrating her one year old's birthday, Anna and Ben pick up the kids' instruments, singing an impromptu song, to their delight, "What if we turned our fights into songs?", Anna wonders. At this point we are 10 min. into the movie but to tell you more of the plot would spoil your viewing experience, you'll just have to see for yourself how it all plays out.

Couple of comments: first and foremost, this movie is a labor of love for Zoe Lister-Jones, who not only stars (as Anna), but wrote, produced and directed as well. She is omni-present, and that is a good thing. Here she brings a look at married life and how to combat when a marriage seems stuck, if not worse. (It's only much later in the movie why the marriage seems stuck in the first place.) Lister-Jones, who has released music before, also co-wrote the songs that are featured in the movie. At first, the movie feels like "can music save this marriage" type movie, but that is less and less the case as we get deeper into the movie. And is this the first movie where the main character (Anna) makes a living as an Uber driver? Besides Lister-Jones, there are several other wonderful acting performances, including Adam Pally as Ben, and Fred Armisen as their neighbor (and eventual band mate and drummer). Keep an eye out for a blink-it-and-you'll-miss-it cameo appearance of director Deryl Wein (Zoe's real-life husband). Last but not least, I have no idea what the movie's title "Band Aid" means. Is it a reference to the 1980s all-star charity group that recorded "Do They Know It's Christmas"? Your guess is as good as mine. Bottom line: "Band Aid" is a heart-felt indie romance-drama with/by/from a stellar Zoe Lister-Jones.

"Band Aid" premiered at this year's Sundance Film Festival. It finally opened at my local art-house theater here in Cincinnati this weekend and I couldn't wait to see it. The Friday evening screening where I saw this at was attended dismally (3 people, including myself), much to my surprise and disappointment. Maybe this is the type of movie that will find a second life once it's available on Amazon Instant Video and eventually on DVD/Blu-ray. "Band Aid" is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

It is a nice drama. I did not know the actress was the director herself, and her acting was so good and real, I would follow her acting in other films too. The chemistry between two central characters was so genuine and realistic, it was really refreshing. The setup is about a struggling couple who are facing economic and emotional problems, and then they try to vent their fight into songs by making a band. But if you expect something like "August Rush" or "Once" or "Music and lyrics", you might be disappointed. It is actually a family drama, with may be no memorable songs.

I believe all those divorces everywhere in the society, such movie sends a very good message. We need to deal with our problems with a try to understand each other more. I had few laughs during the movie, and some dialogues were pretentious, but still, it is a refreshing one. Zoe Lister-Jones should try to write more. And I wish more people watch this drama. Giving rating as 8, as this kind movie cannot get ratings like 10 out of 10, but hope IMDb would retain a 7+ rating for this movie, which it deserves without any doubt.

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.

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

Anna (Zoe Lister-Jones) and Ben (Adam Pally) are a couple fighting about everything. They are struggling. She suggests turning their fights into songs. They start a garage band with their sex-addict neighbor Dave (Fred Armisen).

Anna and Ben have some fun back and forth with Hitler jokes. I don't particularly like anybody else nor do I truly hate any of them. It's a lot of quirky hipster Hollywood and not necessarily that funny. It's especially true for Fred Armisen. He's trying too hard for my taste. I also don't like the songs. I struggle with that whole side of the movie.

I like Zoe and Adam. The movie hints quite forcefully early on about a great lost. It's revealed later on but an earlier reveal would have been better. It's not that shocking and it hung over the movie for the first half. Once revealed, the relationship has some terrific emotional scenes. There is something in this pairing but the surrounding elements don't always work.