Slow Learners

This is a cute little movie. It has its fun and silly moments. It has also some which are kinda boring, but, all in all, it is fun to watch.

For me, the funniest moments were in the beginning of the movie, when they make an introduction of the two main roles: the date in the restaurant and the doctor appointment. I guess these first 2,3 minutes of the movie that were funny to me set the tone of the movie as funny although it is not really funny all the time.

It is a cliché movie like millions of other movies where there are two people of the opposite sex. You know from the beginning how the movie will end. It is obvious in this movie too, though the path to 'love' is kinda weird. And that is what I kinda did not like about the movie. The two characters seemed like lost in their 'transition' .

The book group - all in all - had no real purpose in the film. But I do give kudos that the movie does pay tribute to books!

As I said, cute lil movie, but that's just it. Six from me.

Greetings again from the darkness. One of the staples of Romantic Comedies is that the two key players are the only ones who don't realize they are "right" for each other. This is often accomplished through one of two methods: either two characters who "despise" each other, or as characters who are "just good friends". This little film manages to blend those two approaches … and make us laugh in the process.

The first 15 or 20 minutes of the film are packed with very sharp comedy writing and acting. Adam Pally ("Happy Endings") plays Jeff, and Sarah Burns ("Enlightened") plays Anne. These two misfit adults get along very well together both as co-workers and friends who quote literature at (not to) each other. Anne's opening visit to the doctor (played by Peter Grosz of Sonic ad fame) is outright hilarious, while Adam's book club features some real zingers from Bobby Moynihan, Gil Ozeri, and Reid Scott ("Veep").

It's not until Jeff and Anne make a pact to change their public personas in an effort to be "cool" and more attractive to the opposite sex that the film takes kind of a nasty – well at least unlikable – turn. Becoming alcoholic d-bags does help them experience a summer of wild escapades, but predictably, neither is especially happy. Anne picks up pointers from some trashy reality TV show called "Prisoners of Love" … a knock-off of "The Bachelor" that deals with convicts and the women who would love them.

Adding to the comedic elements are quick scenes with Cecily Strong, Catherine Reitman (daughter of Ivan) and Kate Flannery, along with a couple of sequences with Jeff's parents (Kevin Dunn, Marceline Hugot). More interactions with the parents would have been a welcome respite from the extended d-baggery of Jeff and Anne.

Mr. Pally is a master of the deadpan delivery, while Ms. Burns can best be described as a Kristen Wiig starter kit (that's a compliment). Co-directors Don Argott and Sheena Joyce, and co-writers Matt Serword and Peter Swords lost sight of what delivered such a strong beginning for the film, and instead focused on reminding us to "embrace the darkness" and to "Be yourself. Everyone else is taken". Good lessons indeed, but maybe not the comedy gold mine that was expected.

The film starts off amiably enough, setting up its two lead characters to be mostly likable in an awkward, gangly, vulnerable way. The story hinges on the efforts by the two leads to change their lives and themselves. In the process of trying, the characters (especially the girl) become so unpleasant that they squander all the viewer sympathy built up earlier. In movies like this, you know how the two characters are going to wind up; you watch it just to see how they eventually get there. But by the time these two get there, you really don't feel like they deserve a happy ending. The outtakes in the closing credits are funnier than the last two-thirds of the film.

Honestly, anyone that is deemed a nerd has wondered what would happen if they just let go and be "normal". Most of the time we know how the story goes and what the ending will be, but it's the journey from point a to point b that really sticks with you. These characters are funny, predictable, awkward and goofy, but always genuine. I think that's what resonates with me, the characters reminded me of myself and situations where I've felt like an outsider only to want to grasp on to some popular ideal to eventually come to my senses. I love this movie for exactly what it was, romantic comedy. It did it's job, made me laugh and gave me butterflies. Good job!

By the way, Sarah Burns in the parking lot scene, brilliant!

I've watched this movie several times in the past few weeks. I think a lot of people try to take this movie more seriously than they should. Being a person in her mid twenties as well, I found this to be very lighthearted and up-lifting. A sort of reminder of the weird, awkward situations we find ourselves in throughout our lives. But this movie makes it very amusing. I think you have to have a particular type of humor to appreciate this movie for what it is: a parody on addressing change in your life in response to some shitty situations.

The way the characters transform over their summer break is really drastic. Usually when we change as people, we tend to overcompensate and fall back somewhere in the middle, which is where this leads. Two, early thirties people decide to explore a part of themselves they've never had a chance to. Whether they were pursuing careers or building other relationships. The way they go about it is raw and sort of awkwardly wild - which I appreciated it. We've met people in those stages in their lives before. And I'm sure at some point, we will or have done it.

Lastly, the sources of their inspiration are very amusing. In addition, the quotes and jokes in this movie are a riot. All of the dialogue is something we've either thought of on a date, or have feared happening. So, go into this movie lighthearted and ready for a good laugh.