The new textbook indie dramedy "Nobody Walks in L.A.," which is available on VOD, notably makes a pair of relatable concepts true to life in a film that is designed to provide deep insight into the life of millennials whose ability to avoid adulthood is eroding. This theme and the manner in which it is presented makes it most appealing to real-life peers of the leads and parents who can relate to their offspring being at that stage of life.
The festival love for "Nobody" includes Best Feature wins at the 2016 Long Beach International Film Festival and the Newport Beach Film Festival.
The following YouTube clip of the SPOILER (and potty language) LADEN trailer for "Nobody" highlights the millennialness of the film.
On a larger level, anyone who is old enough to feel compassion for others can relate to the overall story of one friend trying to cheer up another and the object of that affection strongly resisting that effort. Virtually all of us have been on both sides of that equation.
This tale of the softest generation begins with emo-grunge hybrid/former attorney and current teacher 30 year-old Miles in a voluntary days-long confinement in bed at the house of his parents following what he considers devastating news a short period ahead of his wedding to fiancee Samantha. Friend since high school (and Phoebe to this Chandler) Becca shows up to literally drag him out of bed and off to brunch.
The first twist on getting the blue boy out of the house is that Becca insists on the unheard of practice (hence, the film title) in Los Angeles of walking the five blocks to the restaurant. This soon leads to the additional rules of not driving at all that day and not using cellphones.
The remainder of the movie showcases the beauty of the City of Angels that cannot be appreciated by whizzing past in a car. Further, we learn about many landmarks in the city (such as the La Brea tar pits) and get a brief history of the mid-20th century of the community. A scene on the Hollywood Boulevard Walk of Fame will bring The Kinks song "Celluloid Heroes" to mind by fans of that band to the extent that you will hope that Becca and Miles not step on Greta Garbo.
All of this is in the context of Miles and Becca strolling the streets while conversing about the big decisions that they must make. Miles needs to determine whether to get married, and Becca is facing a comparable choice.
Along the way, these future leaders of America discuss their mutual past and their life views. We further see "Phoebe" trying to get "Chandler" to loosen up and the latter injuring his male pride in both senses of the word while trying to show off.
Writer/director Jesse Shapiro adds further entertainment in the form of having our pair encounter the eccentrics who populate every community. A quasi-scary loner type on the subway is one of the most memorable such characters.
This day culminates in the grandest adventure of all that aptly is reminiscent to the big adventure of Pee Wee Herman. Talking and talking and talking and talking for what seems like 12 hours in reel- and real-time brings these high-school friends some insight and consequential peace-of-mind.
The overall effect of the film is that it is like a typical memorable day out with friends. There are high points that you will never forget, moments of unhappiness and/or anger, and long periods in which you are merely content.
Anyone with questions or comments regarding "Nobody" is invited to email me; you also can connect on Twitter via @tvdvdguy.
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