Dealing with the subject of love for anyone can be quite a hassle at times and in some cases down right impossible. That’s the idea behind the romantic comedy Plus One a very different kind of script that keeps you glued to the screen until the credits roll. I like the pace of the film, the many different wedding interludes, the quick quips and bantering between two friends who are destined to come to grips with their life. You don’t have to be a complete romantic to watch this movie, but it will surly make you one if you aren’t.
The film opens with Ben (Jack Quaid) and Alice (Maya Erskine) at a wedding in which he is the best man that’s about to give a speech very soon. Alice who has been a friend of his and the groom since college. She has been invited to his room at his request to hear what he’s going to say for the best man toast. She helps him to settle down, but departs after making some snide remarks.
After a wild time for both at the reception with Ben striking out on an old flame, he goes back to his room to find Alice sprawled out on his bed. Not the best of situations for Ben he gets her to leave. But before Alice parts she pleads for him to attend the next wedding as her plus one. From there it’s plus one at several weddings and more to come. With Ben seeing all the love and happiness it’s getting him down and he wants more than just someone to fill a seat alongside him.
Directed and written by Jeff Chan and Andrew Rhymer the two make the film fun showing Alice’s gregarious personality and wit opposite of Ben’s bleak outlook on love. The two contraries make great buddies even though you are easily lead into thinking that they have already found what they are looking for. But Chan and Rhymer are not going to make it that easy for you as they lay out a story that charms, heartbreaks and captivates.
The acting by Jack Quaid as Ben, a member of the lonely hearts club, is very convincing. You begin to feel for his situation immediately with everyone getting married around him and not a spark of love. He avoids getting romantic with Alice because she was the roommate of a girl he dated during their time at college and for him it’s just amicable. He’s perfect for the role and owns it from the start.
As the wild and confused Alice who was dropped by her boyfriend Nate for another chick, it’s a chance to have a guy sitting next to her at future invited weddings. The two of them get along as friends even though they share the same hotel room so save money. Alice is very open and “free” wheeling, and although it gets in the way of their platonic relationship, Ben is set on ignoring her intimate needs. I like her a lot in this film and hope she gets some good roles for the future. I plan to check her out in Wine Country now available on Netflix.
Plus One has not been rated by the MPAA, but does contain sexual situations and innuendos, and language. A fun film for the 20 somethings and the ladies. Be cautious when deciding to have immature children tag along as it does contain a lot of dialogue that would need explaining. Beware this movie can get hilarious and bring a few tissues as well.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A lot of laughs and romantic energy. (4 out of 5 stars)
Additional Film Information:
Cast: Maya Erskine, Jack Quaid, Ed Begley Jr.
Directed and written by: Jeff Chan and Andrew Rhymer
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
MPAA Rating: Not Rated, contains language, sexual situations
Running Time: 1 hr. 39 min.
Opening Date: June 14, 2019
Distributed by: RLJE Films
Released in: Standard, Color
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
