There are times where you’d like to get on Netflix and treat yourself to a double feature. Luckily, after viewing a film, Netflix immediately provides compatible options based on the previous film as the credits roll. In these reviews, I will watch and review one film, pick a second film from the list of three films that Netflix suggests without reading the star rating or plot synopsis, review that film, then put in a verdict on whether or not the films compliment each other or are an unruly pairing. Let’s get started! 

Somebody Up There Likes Me

Keith Poulson plays Max, an aloof smartass who works at a steak house and is trying to move on from his divorce. We follow Max as he meanders nonplussed throughout his life. Whether he’s hanging out with his coworker, Sal (Nick Offerman), falling in and out of love with his other coworker, Lyla (Jess Weixler), or lugging around a mysterious powder blue suitcase, Max tries to search internally for the thing to make himself happy, even at the expense of the people who love him.

The film is beautifully, artistically shot with a variety of camera angles and faded pastel hues. The humor in the peace is subtle, mostly focusing on characters mishearing things, confusing homonyms, or lasting on awkward moments. There are massive time jumps in the film where Max doesn’t age but the rest of the cast does. I originally thought this was a choice made by the director to visualize Max’s refusal to grow up and mature, but I’m proven incorrect by the end of the film.

The quote that the film’s message is based around comes from Nick Offerman’s character, stating, “I think it’s funny that we all sort of think that we’re not gonna die.” That the theme of wandering that is strewn throughout the plot and the soundtrack of the piece hammers the point home regarding being present in the moment. With that said, the plot goes into random places at times and the quirkiness feels forced at times.

Bottom line, there are some good moments and visuals but my attitude toward the film is like Max’s attitude toward most of his life: indifferent.

Netflix Suggests: Supporting Characters, Red Flag, Fred & Vinnie

Supporting Characters

Set in New York City, two film editors try to fix a movie that has been getting poor reviews at test screenings while trying to balance their relationships. It doesn’t help that one editor, Nick (Alex Karpovsky) is falling for the film’s lead actress during an ADR session while the other editor Darryl (Tarik Lowe) strives to progress his relationship rather than see it for what it is. The story of the film is how both men are applying their instinctual editing techniques not only to their job but also their love lives.

Honestly? This movie bored me. Sure there are some smart moments and good use of time lapses, but the jokes are bunts rather than home runs and the plot goes everywhere you expect the plot to go. Predictability isn’t always a bad thing, but if you’re choosing to use a G.P.S. to guide your movie’s path at least give me some sights to see or experience during the trip. The performances are very good, but it’s like complimenting a restaurant on their dry toast. The ending was refreshing and a good tightening of the film editing/relationship common thread but by then it was too late to make up for my lost interest and concern for the characters.

I wouldn’t call this film incompetent, bad, or even unwatchable. However, there is so much content out on Netflix that this movie feels like it’s fattening up the bandwidth. I had difficulty focusing on the film due to its blandness.

Commonalities: Both movies are Tribeca films, both films’ plot heavily focus on male friendships, both films touch on infidelity, both films have actor Kevin Corrigan in them.

Compatibility: I wouldn’t have put these films together. While there are some similarities in the plot, the tones of both are drastically different. Somebody Up There Likes Me features an offbeat tone while being a quirky, awkward comedy with moments of W.T.F. Supporting Characters is a straight film, with a straight narrative, and doesn’t even have any surprises.

Verdict: Netflix dropped the ball on this double feature. While I think it would be more difficult to find something remotely like Somebody Up There Likes Me, Supporting Characters didn’t even come close. Bottom line, check out Somebody Out There Likes Me if you want to see Nick Offerman be Ron Swanson as Dwight Schrute from The Office but no need to follow up on it with Supporting Characters.