Because I had some time left to squeeze in one more movie after seeing The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug last week, I quickly grabbed myself a ticket to whichever movie that was going to be shown next. In this case, it was Jill Soloway’s entry for the Sundance Film Festival, Afternoon Delight.

THE STORY:

Since the movie is technically ‘indie’ in the sense that it was only shown in very few cinemas in the Philippines, here’s the background: suburban housewife Rachel feels bored and malcontent with what her life has become and despite the support she gets from her best friend fellow housewife Stephanie, lesbian therapist Lenore and loving if a little bit distracted husband Jeff, she cannot shake off the feeling that she’s skimming the ridge of depression. It also doesn’t help that she can’t seem to connect with her toddler Mason and that she’s forced into typical housewife activities – bake sales, auctions, etc – by their community’s mom squad, headed by competitive Jennie. So what’s the solution? Hire a stripper (McKenna) as a nanny, of course!

THE GOOD:

1. You have totally solid performances from all the cast, even the supporting actors were memorable. Although the three leads could’ve been in the movie all on their own and it still would’ve made sense.

a. Kathryn Hahn (How To Lose A Guy In Ten Days) plays Rachel in probably the only serious role I’ve ever seen her in; she’s always been playing cray-cray roles so I guess this wasn’t that far of a stretch.

b. Josh Radnor (How I Met Your Mother) plays the ever supportive husband Jeff. He’s a competent actor and he definitely has that sincerity and loyalty factor that Jeff needs. Although I guess it’s a bit jarring to see Ted Mosby do some of the things he did (more on that later).

c. Juno Temple (St. Trinian’s) as the stripper-slash-nanny McKenna. She’s hot, incredibly talented and her American accent is unbelievable. Technically she plays one of the ‘villains’ in the film but she does it in such a way that you don’t really hate her even when she throws the proverbial bag of poo at the fan. What’re they feeding British actors out there?

2. The “moral lesson” of the film. Yes, it’s one of those movies that have a lesson, which, I guess, separates this ‘indie’ film from the rest of the vague ones out there.

THE BAD:

1. The sex scenes felt like they were included for the shock factor than anything else. I think the film makers relied heavily on the fact that they casted Ted Mosby and had him do some very un-Ted Mosby type of things. I don’t think that the sex scenes were really and truly necessary for the story, but I guess with the premise that a married couple is taking home a stripper, there’s not much wiggle room in the subject.

2. The random issues that Rachel spewed out when she was drunk. To be honest I felt that I was able to relate to the character up until that specific point where she divulges a slew of problems that felt like they came from thin air. Those issues weren’t ‘everyday’ issues and were too heavy to be resolved, and they weren’t.

THE UGLY:

1. The “moral lesson”. The whole film was anchored on one particular golden nugget and personally I don’t think that it was strong enough of a subject. Basically the film’s preaching that age old saying “You don’t know what you have until it’s gone” which is great and all, until you’re sitting through the credits and realize that you’ve just seen a movie about suburban white people and their first world problems.

Note that the film is rated an R-16 by the MTRCB so if you’re planning on spending time with kiddies watching this movie, scratch that plan out. No wonder the ticket lady gave me an appraising look when I asked for one ticket.

Verdict : 5/10. Okay overall but messy on some parts.