At first glance, a simple, but completely charming and in fact deep film. A touching mix of tragicomedy, romcom and sitcom about America and young Americans in the 1950s through the eyes of two young men who have just returned home to Indianapolis after serving in the military.
On the surface of the film is the story of an unexpected friendship between two drawn opposites. Harry (Ben Affleck) is a golden youth, a college football star ("impregnable stallion"), the unrestrained Casanova. Sunny (Jeremy Davis) is a clever intelligent shy “nerd” crushed by parental care. They get used to life together on a civilian, talk a lot about different things, look at an exhibition of modern painting, hang out with girls and much more.
A slightly deeper layer is a strikingly accurate and comprehensive portrait of 1950s America: the Korean War, ethnic issues, the birth of abstract impressionism, the authentic American current in painting, beatnik literature; the surge of jazz and the birth of rock and roll. All this is presented so unobtrusively and "in between" that makes the film a small masterpiece.
A whole gallery of bright and lively characters. Beautiful girls Rachel Weiss, Rose McGowan, Amy Lockein, in the roles of typical bright emancipe. Harry's mother (Leslie Ann Warren), a young feminist, looks more like her son's girlfriend. Mom Sunny (Jill Clayberg), a stiff housewife, a bore and a prude. Her priest friend, a former convict (Robert Swan), who, under the guise of teaching Sunny the way, grabs his knees. And great acting, including Ben Affleck, whom the nihilists in vain branded mediocre actor.
The whole film is set against the background of lush music of the 1950s. Sunny has time to utter a long monologue about Selinger and his "Criminal in the Rye." Harry shares his impressions of a short stay in Japan, the philosophy of Zen Buddhism, geisha and their culture of communication. Everything is very cheerful, funny, ironic. The film is a bit similar in mood, style and theme to the film “School Ties”, also about the youth of the 1950s, which also starred Ben Affleck and Amy Lockein, and which was a good start for an entire generation of actors: Matt Damon, Chris O Donnel, Brendan Fraser, Cole Houser.
Guaranteed pleasure!
10 out of 10