To many twentysomethings, the forced gaiety of weddings means inevitable agony: the emotion-clogged best man/bridesmaid’s toasts, the traditional ceremony, and the booze-drenched reception—including being seated at the singles table. So long-time college pals Alice (Maya Erskine) and Ben (Jack Quaid), who reunite at the wedding of their friends Matt (Beck Bennett) and Amanda (Jessy Hodges), decide to be each other’s “plus one” for Southern California’s 10-weekend, marathon wedding season, which also includes a Hawaiian destination. Co-writers/co-directors Jeff Chan and Andrew Rhymer’s Plus One follows a somewhat familiar rom-com formula about defensively combative friends who become lovers after repeatedly teasing and tormenting one another. Quick-witted, foul-mouthed Alice is still deeply hurt after being dumped by philandering Nate (Tim Chiou), and commitment-phobic Ben’s psychological trauma after his parents’ divorce has made him steadfastly determined not to settle for anyone but the perfect woman. Also on hand are Ed Begley Jr. as Ben’s freewheeling dad, preparing for his third nuptial attempt, and Rosalind Chao as Alice’s highly opinionated mother. Snappy and engagingly sweet, but also uneven, this is a strong optional purchase. (S. Granger)
Plus One
RLJE, 99 min., not rated, DVD or Blu-ray: $29.99, Aug. 6 Volume 34, Issue 5
Plus One
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