Laggies (2014)

"A comedy about acting your age and other adult decisions"

Directed by Lynn Shelton
Produced by Craig Chapman, Kevin Scott Frakes, Steve Golin, Kyle Dean Jackson, Alix Madigan, Myles Nestel, Raj Brinder Singh, Rosalie Swedlin
Written by Andrea Seigel
Starring: Keira Knightley, Chloë Grace Moretz, Sam Rockwell, Kaitlyn Dever, Jeff Garlin, Ellie Kemper, Mark Webber, Daniel Zovatto

Music by Benjamin Gibbard
Cinematography: Benjamin Kasulke
Edited by Nat Sanders
Production company: Anonymous Content
Distributed by A24
Release date: 25 September 2014 (Kazakhstan)

Running time: 99 minutes
Country: United States
Box office: $1.8 million

"Laggies" ("Say When") is a romantic comedy film directed by Lynn Shelton and written by Andrea Seigel. The story is about Megan, a grown-up child, who is frightened with her boyfriend's proposal. So she decides to escape for a week with her new friend - 16-year-old Annika. Is it late for Megan to behave like an adult?

Cast

• Keira Knightley as Megan
• Larissa Schmitz as young Megan
• Chloë Grace Moretz as Annika
• Sam Rockwell as Craig
• Ellie Kemper as Allison
• Sarah Lynn Wright as young Allison
• Mark Webber as Anthony
• Phillip Abraham as young Anthony
• Kaitlyn Dever as Misty
• Tiya Sircar as Zareena
• Gretchen Mol as Bethany
• Jeff Garlin
• Sara Coates as Savannah
• Rocki DuCharme as young Savannah
• Louis Hobson as Theo
• Kirsten deLohr Helland as Danielle
• Maura Lindsay as young Danielle

The director of the film is Lynn Shelton whose films are generally comedies. "Laggies" was my first meeting with her and it turned out pretty good, even despite the fact that I'm not romantic comedies lover. But this film - is an exception which worth to see once. Or more, who knows.

Keira Knightley ("The Imitation Game") shows her diffident character quite well. Her Megan reminds me a bit Gretta from "Begin Again" (2014) - she's also reckless and a little lost. Chloë Grace Moretz as Annika is a typical teenager with her own problems and doubts. Craig performed by Sam Rockwell looks like a somewhat eccentric father - and that character I liked most.

Advantages

• Keira Knightley as Megan
• Chloë Grace Moretz as Annika
• Sam Rockwell as Craig

Disadvantages

• Just an other romantic comedy

"Strangenesses"

• Who is an adult and who is a kid?

Clue Moments

• Meeting with Annika

Behave like an adult and seem like an adult - different things. Maybe it sounds terrible but growing up is a necessary part of life - but it doesn't mean that it's time to get rid of a child inside, no. Stay young, stay brave, stay creative. However, with the years it's better to get qualities that are remarkable for adults: independence, for example. The happy medium is the answer to the problem. Search for it!

Soundtracks

1. Benjamin Gibbard - Main Titles
2. Benjamin Gibbard - Post Reunion
3. Benjamin Gibbard - A Pudding Bridge
4. Benjamin Gibbard - Dad Office Sign
5. Benjamin Gibbard - Meg’s Parents’ House
6. Benjamin Gibbard - East to West
7. Benjamin Gibbard - Garden
8. Benjamin Gibbard - Drive to Grocery
9. Benjamin Gibbard - Tp
10. Benjamin Gibbard - Post Picnic
11. Benjamin Gibbard - Drive Precall
12. Benjamin Gibbard - Tour of House
13. Benjamin Gibbard - Craig Megan Montage
14. Benjamin Gibbard - Drive to Meet
15. Benjamin Gibbard - Walk to Mex
16. Benjamin Gibbard - Craig Megan Hookup
17. Benjamin Gibbard - Annika Sees Makeout
18. Benjamin Gibbard - Arrest Jail
19. Benjamin Gibbard - Meg Comes Home
20. Benjamin Gibbard - On Way to Airport
21. Benjamin Gibbard - After Airport
22. Benjamin Gibbard - It’s Never Too Late (End Credits)

Quotations

* * *

Bethany: What does she expect?
Megan: That you serve some lemonade, and you ask her five to ten questions about her life.
Bethany: Treat somebody badly enough you just assume they'll be happy to let you go.

* * *

Craig: I never anticipated still having to find a place where I'd fit in by the time I was an adult either. I thought you automatically got one once you had a job and a family. But it's just you, alone.

* * *

Craig: During mediation my client agreed to give back two of her handguns to her husband, and now shes decided they were anniversary gifts to her.
Megan: Wow, that's romantic. Are you gonna win?
Craig: I hope so, because it would kill me to see a mother separated from her guns.

* * *

Annika: You look like you party.
Megan: I... guess I'm technically coming from one.
Annika: Cool. So... we can hardly believe this, but we all forgot our IDs. And I mean, normally we would just go buy some beer ourselves. But I guess we look under 21. Which is crazy, right? I know. Um, so, if we gave you some money or something, would you help us straighten this whole problem out and buy us a six-pack or something?
Megan: Oh, God.
Annika: Um, you could totally keep the change.
Megan: Okay. Someone did this for me when I was your age, so I'm gonna do it for you. It's like a rite of passage, right?
Annika: Yeah. Yeah, ya know, I had a good feeling about you.
Megan: That makes one of us.

* * *

You may see the trailer here.

Plot: 5/10

Entertainment: 6/10

Acting: 6/10

Originality: 5/10

Music and Sound: 4/10

5/10