Mill Valley

Sorry, Thanks

By DENNIS HARVEY

Read other reviews about this film

Powered By

An Anxious Engine production in association with Film Theory. Produced by Lauren Veloski. Executive producer, Monte J. Robison. Directed by Dia Sokol. Screenplay, Sokol, Lauren Veloski.
 
With: Wiley Wiggins, Kenya Miles, Andrew Bujalski, Ia Hernandez, Donovan Baddley, Moshe Kasher, Mackenzie Keegan, Raluca Ioanid, Ryan Tresser.
 

The directorial bow of Dia Sokol (producer of films by Joe Swanberg and Andrew Bujalski), "Sorry, Thanks" stays true to mumblecore form in charting some aimless hours between San Franciscan twentysomethings who probably aren't right for each other. Dramatic tension is (expectedly) slack. But with its improved packaging, pic could at least duplicate the limited theatrical exposure of "Funny Ha Ha" and "Mutual Appreciation," if not buzzier "Humpday."

Still-babyfaced Wiley Wiggins of "Dazed and Confused" is Max, a senator's jaded office assistant. Even his few close friends consider Max a bit of a jerk. At the start, he snoozes through the walk-of-shame departure of one-night stand Kira (Kenya Miles), who's just severed a lengthy relationship and is downsizing from her travel-heavy corporate job to a much humbler one. The majority of the pic traces the separate paths of the middle-class hipster leads as they deal with uninspiring employment, critical friends, promiscuity, preexistent relationships (Max already has a g.f., played by Ia Hernandez) and general bored ambivalence. None of which is terribly interesting. Still, youthful post-collegiate life is well captured, the perfs ring true and tech aspects are above indie average.

Camera (color, HD), Matthias Grunsky; editor, Jennifer Lilly; music, Team Love. Reviewed at Mill Valley Film Festival (U.S. Cinema), Oct. 12, 2009. (Also in SXSW, Sarasota, Nashville film festivals.) Running time: 93 MIN.