Students of the 90s Indie Film Movement may enjoy “Kicking and Screaming.” Written and directed by Noah Baumbach (in his directorial debut) the film includes an ensemble cast and a plot synonymous with seemingly all Generation X inhabitants; recent college grads doing nothing with their lives.
This story has been done various times, and has been done better. “Kicking and Screaming” has the standard snappy wit and banter between its characters. The actors are likeable but overall, it’s an average film.
Fun Characters
The story opens at a college graduation party. We quickly meet the characters we will be following, and are introduced to their quirks. Aspiring writer Grover (Josh Hamilton) and his best friend Max (Chris Eigeman). Otis (Carlos Jacott) who wants to postpone grad school. Slackers; Skippy (Jason Wiles) and Chet (Eric Stoltz). Olivia d’Abo and Parker Posey play potential love interests. The great Elliott Gould portrays Grover’s father.
The movie deals with the characters in the aftermath of college as only replicated in the 90s. They deal with life, jobs, and love in a variety of ways. The dialogue is sharp, and I found myself laughing out loud multiple times.
“We graduated four months ago. What can you possibly be nostalgic for?” Skippy asks Max. “I’m nostalgic for conversations I had yesterday. I’ve begun reminiscing events before they even occur. I’m reminiscing this right now. I can’t go to the bar because I’ve already looked back on it in my memory… and I didn’t have a good time.” It’s like Dawson’s Creek meets Gilmore Girls, which is ironic since Chris Eigeman would go on to star on the latter.
“Kicking and Screaming” would make a great series. I would love to follow these characters and their antics. In a 90 minute movie, the stories are too truncated. It’s a good effort but an average film. It has funny lines and characters. It’s a relic of the way things were done in the 90s.
“Kicking and Screaming” can be rented on Amazon.
