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(3 Stars out of 5)
Breaking Upwards is the feature film debut of director Daryl Wein. He also stars as one of the main characters, Daryl (or D). The other star Zoe Lister Jones helped co-write the script and plays D’s girlfriend Zoe (or Zo). The movie is apparently based on Daryl and Zoe’s real-life breakup.
The movie is an IFC Films release and it shows. The filmmakers actually do well with an independent budget; the movie never looks or sounds cheap. The independent “spirit” shows in the film’s mushy script, artsy intellectual b.s., and the tone.
The movie starts with D and Zo making a list of what they want to accomplish on their “off-days”. Their off-days are the days when they are broken-up for all intents and purposes. The “on-days” are the days when they are still together. They tell each other they do not want to just break up because they want to be mature about the relationship and grow from the experience. In reality they are scared of being alone, don’t want to disappoint their friends and families, and are still best friends.
The rest of the movie follows them through their long extended break-up. They flirt with other people and the other one gets jealous. They still act as a couple on most of their on days. But it is clear that they are not going anywhere; that it is over and they won’t admit it to themselves.
At first they try to hide it from their families because Zoe’s mom(Andrea Martin) likes Daryl and Daryl’s family likes Zoe. One reason they stay together is that they don’t want to end up like their parents. They are both convinced that their parents are unhappy with their lives. Funnily ,the only thing the parents seem upset about is their mixed-up kids.
A movie that follows a breakup is an interesting concept. Unfortunately it is not a very interesting story to watch. The audience knows the end of the movie at the beginning so there is very little consequence to any of the drama the characters inflict on each other.
The ending scene is really the only part of the story that has any weight. That scene perfectly captures the mixed emotions of breaking up with someone and saying goodbye to them.
The acting keeps the film entertaining when the plot wanders. Daryl and Zoe are likable characters to root for, even when they are acting immature and messing up their lives. Daryl’s mom Joanie (Julie White) has the most explosive scenes in the film and walks the line well between believable and over-the-top. The main characters feel like real humans. Yet there are many peripheral characters that float in and out of the movie and never make an impression or have much of a purpose.
Wein shows a lot of potential in his directorial debut. He has a deft touch with the actors, getting believable performances out of all of them. The portrayal of modern-day Judaism feels much more authentic than most mainstream movies. The soundtrack matches the mood of the film perfectly. However, the music is also used too often as a crutch to let the audience know what the characters are thinking and feeling.
The most egregious sin Wein makes as a filmmaker is to philosophize. There are a number of scenes in the movie where characters spout of their philosophy on life and love. The filmmaker presents these viewpoints as deep and profound. In reality they are annoying, college-level, solipsism.
Wein obviously takes inspiration from Woody Allen, another Jewish intellectual who makes New York films about relationships and life. What Wein fails to glean from Allen however is that the best way to present an outlook on love and life is to put it in an interesting story. Allen’s best movies are the ones that have the most memorable characters and plotlines, not the grandest ideas on life.
Wein is young, not even 30 yet. Hopefully he will learn from this experience and the next film he make will have a narrative. Because that could be very a good film.
Breakings Upwards played the festival circuit last year and opened April 2nd in New York and Video on Demand. It will also be playing in some colleges.