Drinking Buddies (2013) | Film Review

*article originally written in 2015*

Drinking Buddies (2013)
Directed by: Joe Swanberg
Starring: Jake Johnson, Olivia Wilde, Anna Kendrick, Ron Livingston

Drinking Buddies follows a pair of work friends who, after a double date at a cabin, return home with a lot to sort through. The way they cope? By drinking.

Reflecting on the film, I realise that a lot happens, but the lack of a concrete conclusion or gripping plot made it feel like it slipped through my fingers. Throughout, I felt it had so much potential and was building up well, but the ending really let it down for me.

The acting was surprisingly strong. Jake Johnson never disappoints and brought a warm, honest quality to his character. The “workplace” dynamic felt realistic, which kept me engaged in the story. On the other hand, I found Anna Kendrick’s character to be a bit dry and hard to watch. While I understand her character was meant to be somewhat stiff, I felt she could have brought a bit more to the role.

The cinematography in Drinking Buddies wasn’t anything extraordinary, but I did appreciate the unique colour palette, which added an indie feel to the comedy and enhanced the overall vibe of the film.

All in all, I did enjoy the film, though I was left disappointed by the ending. There were so many other directions the story could have taken. Despite this, it was a fun watch, and it certainly made me appreciate Jake Johnson even more.