Good On Paper: Comedic Glory with a Suspenseful Twist

This original drama film is among the top 10 most popular Netflix offerings in the US today. For just being released, this is a commendable feat. Plus, it’s based on a “mostly true story,” and some lies. 

Following the life of a middle-aged female comedic star, times were very hard as she waited for her big break. Faced with challenges and opponents for gigs, life seemed impossible. After years of trial and failure and trial again, at once things began looking up. A starring role in a comedy TV series in Canada, a boyfriend, a life where dreams became attainable. Until, things got weird.

A boyfriend she was supposed to love… became untrustworthy. Her life began to unravel yet again as she started to doubt who he is and what his purpose was. It is a tale of twists and turns, surprises, laughs and an ending/ climax I never saw coming.

This is the story of Andrea Singer, her BF Dennis and her friend Margot.

I will leave the rest to surprise, because I find the way that this film blended comedy, drama and suspense to be new, exciting and ingenious. It stands out from other offerings because the first half is humorous, and then the second half takes a turn. It’s almost like two movies in one. After you get to know the characters pretty well, the whole premise of the show changes because the life they are living changes dramatically. This allows us to see another side of everyone’s character.

I’ve never watched a movie with these actors before. Iliza Shlesinger playing Andrea is fitting because Iliza is a real-world comedian. I remember her having her own show on TBS and it is neat she decided to make a movie about this strange event. Ryan Hansen from Veronica Mars plays Dennis, her companion.

The plot here works in chronological order, which serves to build characterization and suspense. Before we know it, everything we know is imploding on top of us. I think that adds a lets-keep-watching effect, and leaves us hooked until things make sense again. Even though the film is short, things remain topsy turvy for quite a bit. Plus, Andrea plays with suspense and drama by not confronting Dennis right away.

A couple of scenes really stood out to me. At the opening, I really enjoyed the voice-over effects which helped us know what Singer was thinking, despite acting ‘nice’ to those around her. This is where her natural humor comes through, and adds to her being rough around the edges. Also, there was a scene where the characters were dancing at a rave after taking magic mushrooms, and the special effects used added to the ‘magic’ of the scene.

My favorite part of the film is how the plot events wrap together. What starts as a feud between two budding actor/ comedians ends up being a misunderstanding. Everything else that looks suspicious gets figured out, in the end, after some misadventures. I think the satisfying nature of this serves the film well.

For the blending of genres, having closure and taking us on a wild ride along the way, I think this film would suit audiences well for an evening. More than anything, it gets us thinking about who we can trust and helps us question just how well we really know someone we met on an airplane.

RATING: 8 / 10