Let’s be real. This no-budget indie fave looks bad and sounds worse. It may reek of authenticity rather than actually delivering it, but it does seem like a frontline report from twentysomethings trying to get a life after college. Andrew Bujalski is being hailed as an avatar of John Cassavetes, an enthusiasm I don’t particularly share, but there is definitely wit and perspective at work in this kitchen sink realism of postgraduate drift and angst. Kate Dollenmayer makes an attractive but believably confused protagonist, trying to find a boyfriend, a job, and a purpose in life. She’s stuck on a loser, but a loser (played by Bujalski himself) is stuck on her. She endeavors to navigate between them, while finding herself -- and that is the movie. The film was made in Boston but conveys no sense of location whatsoever, just low-rent apartments hosting random parties and awkward get-togethers. As a group portrait of a particular sliver of a generation it warrants attention, if not acclaim. I will look for Bujalski's follow up, Mutual Appreciation. (2005, dvd, n.) *6* (MC-78, RT-86.)
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