Chloë Grace Moretz and Keira Knightley star in “Laggies,” a film directed by Lynn Shelton (“Humpday”) and written by Andrea Seigel (novel “The Kid Table”). SIDEWALKS’ Lisa has her take.
“Laggies”
Studio: A24
Starring: Keira Knightley, Chloë Grace Moretz, and Sam Rockwell
Directed By: Lynn Shelton
Written By: Andrea Seigel
Studio Synopsis:
Overeducated and underemployed, 28 year old Megan (Keira Knightley) is in the throes of a quarterlife crisis. Squarely into adulthood with no career prospects, no particular motivation to think about her future and no one to relate to, Megan is comfortable lagging a few steps behind – while her friends check off milestones and celebrate their new grown-up status. When her high-school sweetheart (Mark Webber) proposes, Megan panics and– given an unexpected opportunity to escape for a week – hides out in the home of her new friend, 16-year old Annika (Chloë Grace Moretz) and Annika’s world-weary single dad Craig (Sam Rockwell). Lynn Shelton, whose unique directorial voice created such astutely observed comedies as YOUR SISTER’S SISTER and HUMPDAY, crafts a sweet, coming-of-age romantic comedy about three people who find their lives intertwined in the most unconventional way. Keira Knightley shines as Megan, a rare female slacker hero who shows us that while you never stop growing up, you can choose stop lagging, and start living on your terms.
Lisa’s Take:
One thing I love about “Laggies” is that it’s filmed in Seattle. Not enough feature films are made in Seattle and when they are, those shockingly green opening scenes always take my breath away. “Laggies” doesn’t rely too much on the iconic Seattle scenery though. You do see the Space Needle, a romantic party on a ferryboat and the amazing Chihuly Glasshouse, but most of the film takes place in the boring suburbs. And many of the meaningful moments occur in the car, the living room of suburban American life.
“Laggies” captures the bored angst of a 20-something named Megan (played by Keira Knightley), who has a privileged life but doesn’t know what to do with it. She is educated but aimless, not only out of touch with what really makes her happy but even with the fact that she is unhappy.
In an effort to escape life’s big decisions, she cultivates a sweet and fragile friendship with a teenager named Annika. What I loved about Annika’s character (played by Chloë Grace Moretz) was her vulnerability and strength. Annika realizes that the wounds left by her absent mother need healing, and identifies Megan as the person to help her.
Keira Knightley comically captures the physical mannerisms of a 28-year old American woman trapped in a girl’s body, collapsing on her parent’s couch after avoiding a career counselor appointment and asking, “Is it make your own pizza night?” She puts a huge effort into a nasally suburban Seattleite vocal affectation (even hitting the lower register in that creakily annoying “vocal fry”).
But still, I could not quite believe Knightley in this role. She is just too gorgeous – and too English – to be a drifting Marriage and Family counselor who buys beer for a bunch of teenagers and then chats with them until midnight at a park instead of returning to her best friend’s wedding. Actually, that part was pretty unbelievable no matter who would have played it. However, Knightley’s attachment to this film does lend star quality to an otherwise small, independent film that I’m sure will bring it the attention director Lynn Shelton deserves.
When Sam Rockwell (as Annika’s father) enters the story, he brings a wonderful spontaneity and spark to the film. I wish he had been there from the beginning – every scene with him is serious but playful with an edge of sarcasm. He’s a shrewd and protective single dad who is also a divorce lawyer – the perfect contrast to Megan’s clingy, cooing boyfriend, who tries to propose to her at her best friend’s wedding. Of course, Rockwell’s presence brings a romantic element to the film and a trajectory to Megan’s otherwise floating existence. After Megan really screws things up, she strives to make amends with both Annika and her father.
A better twist to the story would have been Megan finding her place career-wise. It was obviously easy for her to connect with teenagers and relate to the central issues of the film – divorce and marriage. Teenagers confide in her and although she has nothing much in the way of wisdom to offer, that’s exactly why they trust her. Instead, this connection is touched on but never pursued, and Megan seems to be floating through her life even to the end, when she finally realizes the change she needs to make. She rejects her old way of life – but she has still has not learned to look before she leaps.
During a Q&A in San Francisco after a showing of “Laggies,” hosted by SIDEWALKS ENTERTAINMENT’s Richard R. Lee and Birsen Birdir Thompson, the audience said it was a sweet, relatable film, both to 20-somethings and to parents alike. They asked for director Lynn Shelton’s favorite moments in the film. She cited, “I am my own animal,” a well-placed comment from Annika’s spunky friend Misty (played by Kaitlyn Dever) and an amusing story about Annika’s pet (also named Lynn) who was scripted as a dog, but became a tortoise due to budget constraints.
Even though the premise was a big far-fetched, “Laggies” has quite a few funny and poignant moments and I’m looking forward to seeing more films directed by Shelton, who remains devoted to making films in her beloved Seattle.