The Feeling That the Time for Doing Something Has Passed

This deadpan narrative from Joanna Arnow is a solid deadpan dramatic comedy about a detached character involved with a BDSM relationship and living the life with some interesting direction approaches, deadpan atmospheres, and a solid performance from Joanna herself.

The approach on how life is hard offered by Arnow's direction and approach is a bit strange but it's new level take does offer something special about the setting and concept. Including some dry humor dialogue, structure approaches and character conversations between the performances. Which is also provided by some solid performances from the cast members.

Because some of the writing and pacing is a bit too-slow, it causes the characters to feel distant to connect which at times, made them a bit frustrating to observe, in a not so good way. Nevertheless, I do look forward to see what Arnow could offer next.

I've watched 17 minutes of this movie, and every one of them felt like work.

The production design is sloppy, like a movie made at home by teenagers, but shoot with a RED camera instead of an iphone. The office scenes and the party dialogue about the salt lamp felt like a basic plan Shutterstock footage. The actress who plays the protagonist (and it's the director) is uncharismatic. Even to play a boring character demands at least some charisma. Last but not least, if this was meant to be a comedy, it is not funny. I'm astonished this movie managed to get a 77 Metascore. Definitely, it proves movie critics are just an old reminisce of the printed newspaper.

I found this movie to be very interesting and relatable. The BDSM, which there was alot of and alot of nudity, felt and seemed real and understandable. This movie showed us how she could not fully function in a 'normal' relationship and ended back up with the really bad guy for her who was rich and liked her but gave her absolutely nothing. I kept wishing for her not to self-sabotage this new relationship that was absolutely perfect without all the Hollywood fake perfection, but in the end, she still could not live without the BDSM. Do women like being submissive? Do they just want it all? We also see her try to put her foot down at work what with all the reshuffling and a tiny relationship with a coworker, but she also does not pursue it as much as she should have. The movie shows us a pretty sad story, but isn't all life a bit sad?

I was struck with the idea of this film from the moment I saw the ads for it via the Florida Film Festival. I was drawn in by the deadpanned comedic chemistry that was equal parts candid as it was daring. Joanna Arnow (the powerhouse whom wrote, directed, and starred in this film) pulls off all blinders to the core themes of this film: sexuality, emotional pining, complacency, honest candor, and a feeling that can only be truly described with the film's apt title.

From beginning to end, we explore only as much of our protagonist Ana's psyche that she allows us to see. Guarded, yet open, her interactions with those around her paint a portrait of indecision and a trajectory of her life that is in one way ambiguous, but also free. The comedic stylings are delivered in a way that isn't over the top, relying of smart dryness and offbeat humor - a refreshing element to a story like this.

At this film's core, we are given a person to observe, and not necessary one do applaud or boo. Her choices, relationships, and actions happen in a way that we can empathize with, even if her character who is one in no need of it. Even so, with this film's gut-punch conclusion, you find yourself deciding what you want for her. This is a stark reminder that we are not meant to predict or encourage any of her behaviors and hope for any specific outcome, and that what transpired in this story is deeply personal but inevitable and fated.

I don't think I've seen a film like this one, and I don't think I ever will again. It's hard to accurately describe the emotions I felt during this film. It is expertly crafted and full of the quiet vigor of a story begging to be absorbed and understood completely.

I saw this movie at the New York Film Festival and it had me cracking up. So completely out of the box, sharp, honest and hilarious. I loved the visual style juxtaposed with the frank sexual content - this felt like the female gaze at work. I've never seen a movie like this and truly enjoyed.

It follows Anne (Joanna Arnow), a Brooklyn woman in an unfulfilling, long term bdsm relationship (which bears a hilarious resemblence to her daytime identity as low level corporate drone) as she navigates her family, friendship and attempts at "vanilla" dating.

Would recommend if you like deadpan humor & appreciate nuanced characters.