Movie review by Dennis D. McDonald

As a parent of two twenty-somethings I watched this film with a sense of horror. I wanted to reach out and slap some sense into the main character. Parts were extraordinarily painful to watch as Aura makes some really muddleheaded decisions about male companionship. I kept thinking to myself, “If she was my daughter I’d …”

But I am extremely  impressed with this young director’s vision. Much of the film rings true even though the story takes place in a bubble of middle class angst and artistic pretension. Believe it or not, even old farts like me remember the awful times of being wanderingly young. It’s really interesting that so few films really address the bad times with any sort or reality. I guess self examination is not terribly commercial.

I’m really impressed that Dunham has put together such a professionally structured and dramatically satisfying comedy. Yes, the hashtag for this film is definitely #firstworldproblem but it still resonates.

Here’s hoping Denham keeps on making films and isn’t seduced by the Dark Side.

Review copyright (c) 2012 by Dennis D. McDonald