Plus One movie review & film summary (2019)

Writers/directors Jeff Chan and Andrew Rhymer, also from “PEN15,” make a couple of smart choices here. First, even though a single celled organism knows where this is all going, the developments primarily come from character, not the situations around them. Alice and Ben may think they want to be in love, but the screenplay and the performances show us that both are so defensive it will only happen if it sneaks up on them through friendship (as in “When Harry Met Sally…,” the legendary romantic comedy starring Quaid’s mother). 

Ben and Alice have no problem talking to each other about topics older people might find TMI, like boners and bikini waxes and peeing in the shower, plus the appropriate use of “boom shaka laka.” They have a natural understanding, whether they are making fun of the groomsmen's poses for pictures or checking into a posh Hawaii resort for a destination wedding. But that does not mean that they are any good at talking about or even understanding their own feelings.

And second, the weddings themselves are a hoot, shrewdly observed, witty, but genuine. Chan and Rhymer understand the essential weirdness of being an observer of someone else’s emotional, life-changing event that happens to also be a big party. There are always guests who would otherwise not be at the same occasion and may never see each other again and family members who want to judge you or are worried you’re judging them and guests with a complicated history who would otherwise not be in the same room. 

They also understand weddings’ many telling details and challenging decisions. Do you bring the gift to the ceremony? Is the plus one included in the family photo? Is there something to say to a guest you’ve never seen before other than, “How do you know Jason and Sarah?” A member of the bridal party may want to (a) sing a song about his own breakup or (b) discuss the bride’s pregnancy in a toast. And what about those wedding guests who are getting high in the parking lot or jumping in the pool with their clothes on? The list of credits includes characters described as “passive aggressive maid of honor,” “unprepared best man,” and “hapless father.” 

The wedding marathon gets closer to home as Ben and Alice each has a family member getting married. Acknowledging their feelings for one another means understanding that, like life, the craziness and drama and romance of weddings is actually pretty wonderful, especially if there’s someone with you who appreciates all of it.