Lazy Eye

Writer-director Tim Kirkman creates a good metaphor in the title of this two-person drama, which finds a pair of former lovers--graphic artist Dean (Lucas Near-Verbrugghe) and Wall Street success Alex (Aaron Costa Ganis)--both looking good in middle age, but not quite seeing straight when they hook up some 15 years after separation and complete silence. Meeting at Dean's Mojave Desert retreat, the two instantly fall into bed before doing any catching up (e.g., Dean is no longer a “Marxist” but rather a “social democrat”; Alex has somehow managed to avoid any kind of Internet presence while becoming rich). But soon it is time for talking, and that's largely what Lazy Eye is: a prolonged discussion spread over a couple of days and several attractive scene changes (it's nice to see the Joshua Tree), all highly reminiscent of Richard Linklater's Before trilogy. As the lovers fill in details about their individual lives over the last decade-and-a-half, the obstacles to any renewed romance become obvious. Kirkman and his leading men do a terrific job sorting all of this out with a powerful, restrained emotion residing behind the actors' eyes. Also featuring a brief appearance by the great comedic actress Michaela Watkins, this engaging film is recommended. (T. Keogh)