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If it weren’t for social media I’d have no idea that Drinking Buddies existed. This is one of those times I’d be totally okay with that. This seems to stem mainly from the perceived attractiveness of the lead, Olivia Wilde. Wilde’s a decent actress but I guess she’s just not my type.
I believe the first time I heard about the film was in the fall when a writer on XOJane blogged about how the eating habits of Wilde’s character in the film are completely unrealistic. Ya know, that whole men want women who eat like men but look tiny thing. It was an interesting post but I then forgot about it.
In the following months I’ve seen tweets from various movie reviewers espousing the virtues of the film, including how hot Wilde is and that she gives a great performance. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve watched many a film for the hot actor (or actress) in the starring role, so that’s not an insult, just an observation.
What all of this leads up to is that despite not knowing much about the film I ended up watching it within one day of finding out that it was on Netflix Streaming. I had to know what the fuss was about. Well, for me, not much.
The movie focuses on a pair of best friends played by Wilde and Jake Johnson. They both work at a beer bottling plant. He has a blue collar job while she seems to be an event planner of sorts. They are the type of friends who hang out incessantly. It even seems to outsiders at times that they are a couple. You yourself will wonder why they aren’t.
Well it turns out that both of them are already dating other (hot) people, Ron Livingston and Anna Kendrick. Neither seems particularly suited for their counterparts, but Livingston in particular. Being that they are so close, Wilde and Johnson arrange a couples’ weekend away. This is when it really becomes evident that things aren’t going smoothly in their relationships.
There are funny moments and sweet moments but they don’t add up to much for me. It’s a good cast. The hugely funny Jason Sudeikis even has a supporting role (though he’s underused in this flick). The cast is not the problem for me. They seem suited to their roles. Anna Kendrick does great at playing a bit of an introspective girl, which is quite a turn around from how I saw her in Rapture-Palooza. She definitely has range.
Some things about the film are very real, which I appreciate. Yes, there’s a friend zone element and a “don’t slut shame me” speech (I do appreciate the latter). Oh and there’s a shit ton of drinking. They work in a beer plant, they drink there, they drink at bars, they drink in the woods, they drink at home, basically, they rarely stop drinking. This does seem plausible in their world.
The fact that the actors seem so real in their roles is what leads me to say you may want to give it one viewing if you are a big fan of any of the leads. Otherwise I’d skip it. It’s meandering and at only an hour and a half, almost boring. I must say that I did enjoy the soundtrack though.
All in all, cast and crew, I am not impressed with your lackadaisical movie.
You can watch Drinking Buddies on Netflix Instant Streaming or rent it from Amazon (this is an affiliate link so if you make a purchase through it a small commission may be generated for this site).
You may also enjoy:
Movie Review: For a Good Time Call…
Movie Review: Seven Psychopaths
Movie Review: Casa de Mi Padre
Movie Review: Wanderlust
Movie Review: Take This Waltz
Movie Review: The Shape of Things
*Photos are via the Official Drinking Buddies Facebook.
