Blue Jay (2016)

Wonderfully offbeat film!

a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

The storyline feels a little thin and moth-eaten in parts but this sequel is plenty of fun.

Although the weight of nostalgia causes the second act to drag, the emotional chemistry between the two leads (Sarah Paulson and Mark Duplass) makes Blue Jay a film worth remembering. Director Alex Lehmann's carefully paced scenes and surprising tone bring up the fear of what could've been without telling us how to feel about it.

I confess upfront that I have no idea who Marc Duplass is and if I should be impressed in any way. I just selected this movie hoping in a decent story, since I am a big fan of the "Before" trilogyThe two main (an basically only) characters in the story are Jim and Amanda, ex high-school sweethearts who meet after 20 year. They both moved out of their small town. Jim is back because his mum died and Amanda because her sister is pregnant.They take a walk down memory lane, starting with a coffee at the Blue Jay of the title and from there on their conversation veers from awkward to boring, to bizarre and back to boring again.Turns out it is not so easy to write and perform lines that seem improvised but are actually carefully scripted. While in the "Before" movies conversation flows beautifully and the actors seem to have a connection, here Jim is plain weird. He is also a liar and keeps touching his beard (which is very annoying).Amanda also lies, but I guess it's normal that neither would admit their lives are not turning out that great. Still, the tape with their super-weird conversation register 20 years previously sounds like a mega fake. Honestly, who would register anything like that?It just get worse with the role play that follows. Everything looks staged and fake and the leads have zero chemistry. Good black & white photography, though.

Two actors, a simple story . Two college friends and lovers met 20 years later in the same city. The screenplay is there to be followed but it seems everyone could write it or even the actors during the shot could amend it with the director and screenplay writer approval to changes because of this is a simple story like a children tale that everyone could pass through: a kind of archetypical tale. Back to the film, it is indeed simple, simple scenarios, black and white, good performances. The story drags you into your own story or someone else from your college. The film invites you to listen old love stories in old houses. There you see the characters finding remembrances, old notes, and letters, secrets, grievances buried in a pile of years. A man and woman in a search of life meaning came across each one way a second time to inquire about what the best track from now on. Good cinema, , a never-ending theme to be explored by a sensitive filmmaker. Great film!

Characters are unlikable, there is no story of note, acting is mediocre. This is just altogether a bad movie. The atmosphere was impressive but that alone did not carry the movie. Nothing interesting happens. It's a potentially interesting premise but the execution is terrible, short sighted, and boring. The main characters are just bad people and the male is just annoying to look at and listen to. Please find anything else to watch except this.