One ongoing debate in cinema is realism, and how much of it really exists in a film. There is always that question of what the audience wants: ridiculously unreal yet amusing, or true-to-life, yet accurate? Let's take for example the relationship comedy. Most of these films rely on pre-planned monologues and dialogues about sex and dating that may be rather funny at times. However, there is sometimes a question about the truthfulness of these scenes. Is this really how people talk in real life, and does the audience really relate to the material? In a sea of clichés, there are a few filmmakers in the independent world who will boldly sacrifice blockbuster spectacle to capture the essence of how humans really interact. Mutual Appreciation is a striking example.
In the spirit of Swingers and Rent, Mutual Appreciation focuses on the "little fish in the big sea" idea of young twentysomethings moving to the big city to pursue their dreams. Alan (Justin Rice) is an alternative rock musician who re-locates to New York City to hopefully stick out amongst the many other artists on the concert venue scene. His best friend Lawrence (Andrew Bujalski), who ekes by on teaching assistant wages, provides a support system for Alan while he desperately tries to find a drummer for his unique musical vision. However, things get slightly complicated when Alan begins to develop feelings for Lawrence's girlfriend Ellie (Rachel Clift).
While Mutual Appreciate could step into farce territory by constructing a silly love triangle between these characters, it refuses to do so. Instead, the 110-minute film follows its characters from the underground music scene to the cramped apartments of eccentric characters. Each scene places the camera in the room like an innocent bystander and observes these people as they exchange everyday conversation about their struggles in the Big Apple.
I consider myself an omnivore of all things cinematic. I can appreciate a forced, mainstream romantic comedy as well as an independent character study on a shoestring budget. Mutual Appreciation falls under the category of the latter, and it is hard for me not to appreciate this telling depiction of confusion and awkwardness. Director, writer, and star Andrew Bujalski knows how to convey these characteristics in the construction of the film. As Mutual Appreciation begins and ends abruptly it parallels real life, which hits these main characters so suddenly like a swift kick in the ass.
Something that the filmmakers really capture here is the art of conversation. Following in the footsteps of directors such as Richard Linklater, Bujalski focuses the film's energy on the connections between its characters. Rather than having the characters spout off witty and cute lines about pet peeves and heartbreak, they just go with the flow. There is clearly a form of improvised acting here, and the dialogue is hit-and-miss. However, it is refreshing to see conversation just as it is typically seen between real people. Humans do not communicate to entertain a camera tucked away in the fourth wall. They communicate their true feelings. Though mumbled and slow at times, I was with these characters every step of the way.
Mutual Appreciation is not a masterpiece of a character study, but I certainly appreciate its effort. Fans of indie cinema and the frustrations of being a lost twentysomething will likely want to give this a shot. I highly recommend giving this a rental.