Life Partners

For fans of Gossip Girl and The O.C., Susanna Fogel's directorial debut will spark interest, since it features respective stars Leighton Meester and Adam Brody (who are now married). After six years on Gossip Girl, it's understandable that Meester might want to distance herself from couture-clad socialite Blair Waldorf, but it still comes as a surprise to see her wearing off-the-rack tank tops and knit caps. Meester's Sasha, who is gay, hopes to find a romantic partner she can get along with like she does her best friend, Paige (Gillian Jacobs). Sasha is a receptionist and aspiring musician barely making ends meet, while Paige earns a decent living as an environmental lawyer. When the ladies try online dating, Paige strikes gold, meeting Tim (Brody), a comedy-quoting dermatologist who segues from boyfriend to fiancé. But this only makes Sasha feel more like a loser than ever, turning her defensive and cruel. When Paige tries to set her up with a co-worker, Sasha does her best to scare the woman away, but eventually makes some progress by the end. If the gay-straight alliance provides the hook, the real focus here is on the ways adulthood can fracture youthful bonds. Despite a few moments of sitcom silliness, Meester and Jacobs—who enjoy a breezy chemistry—effectively bring that struggle to life. Recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include a production and costume design featurette (5 min.), a segment on cast and characters (3 min.), an AXS TV featurette (3 min.), and trailers. Bottom line: a decent extras package for an engaging rom-com.] (K. Fennessy)