Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
In 5 years we’re going to look back on the film About Alex and think, “How the heck did they get so many incredible actors in one indie film?” You know what? Make that one year.
Each and every actor in this film is not only poised to become a big time, successful actor, but pretty much already is. The 2014 film, written and directed by Jesse Zwick, was well received at festivals, but had a quiet theatrical release. Available now on Netflix, the film follows a group of college friends who reunite in upstate New York after one of them attempts suicide; similar to The Big Chill, except he’s still alive and participating in the long weekend (R.I.P. Dead Kevin Costner). Past feelings are brought to the surface, new feelings emerge, and truths are told, all through a cast you’ll surely wish you were friends with too.
Jason Ritter is the titular Alex, bringing his signature charm to a difficult role. Fresh off Girls as Shosh’s (Zosia Mamet) wronged boyfriend, Hollywood knows exactly who to call when they need a sweet, dependable guy. Max Greenfield as grizzly Josh proves he’s more than just New Girl’s silly Schmidt by bringing an angst to About Alex that signals there are many sides of his acting we have yet to see on screen. He was utterly charming and a total star in this year’s Hello, My Name is Doris, and he’s been snapped up to play opposite Brie Larson in the anticipated The Glass Castle. In Alex, it’s fun to see him frolic with Aubrey Plaza, another actor known for their sitcom role who is given room to breathe and show off their chops with this film. While she’s nowhere near as dry as Parks and Rec‘s April Ludgate, she brings a level of sarcasm to this role we could only expect from her. She was also able to display some depth and vulnerability here, before she jumped to Zac Efron comedies, getting freaky with Robert DeNiro in Dirty Grandpa and the upcoming Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates with IRL pal Anna Kendrick.
Plaza pairs nicely with the routinely underrated Max Minghella. While this role isn’t his most expansive—you’ll have to look to 2013’s Horns for that—it’s nice to see him as part of this group. As his girlfriend, Kate, Jane Levy was able to use this part to start moving towards more adult roles. She was superb in the sitcom Suburgatory, but was truly able to grow during select moments of this film. While college is the place where most of us transition into the next phase of our lives, this college reunion film served that purpose for most of this cast.
Which leaves us with Siri and Ben, played by Maggie Grace and Nate Parker. From Twilights to Takens, About Alex provides Grace with a space to take on a more subdued yet nuanced character. As a woman who is questioning both career and personal choices, she is able to bring more levels to her character in this film than some of the other actors. Which brings us to the Best Actor Oscar frontrunner of 2017, Parker. Like Minghella, this movie may not be his shining moment—Hollywood seems to be counting on The Birth of a Nation for that, his upcoming film that had Sundance all in a tizzy this year. But from the teaser trailer, he’s packing a performance in his eyes alone that’s unparalleled to anything we’ve seen from him before. Be sure to take this time, that moment right before he becomes the actor we all rightfully can’t shut up about, to see Beyond the Lights. Parker is sweet and sexy in a role that is more than worth the watch.
Even with illustrious careers ahead of them all, now is a great time to put your eyes on About Alex. While the story will touch anyone who’s ever had a friend, especially one you’ve felt most connected to through social media, it’s the cast that captures the long weekend so well, you’ll feel like you took the trip with them. Just as the purpose of this friends’ weekend was, it won’t be long before we’re looking back on About Alex and fondly thinking, “Remember when?”
[Watch About Alex on Netflix]
