Mutual Appreciation

By Andrew Bujalski

Officially selected for over 40 film festivals, worldwide, including South By Southwest, the Boston Independent Film Festival, Chicago International Film Festival, Rotterdam Film Festival and the Vienna Film Festival

Alan (Justin Rice), a musician whose band has just broken up, shows up in New York to support his burgeoning rock and roll career. He starts by searching for a drummer for a show he’s already lined up and otherwise goes about the mechanics of self-promotion. He finds a newfound champion in Sara (Seung-Min Lee), an aggressive DJ who sets her sights on the submissively uninterested Alan (but finds a drummer for him). In down time, Alan drinks and strategizes with his old friend Lawrence (Andrew Bujalski), a grad student, and Lawrence’s girlfriend Ellie (Rachel Clift), a journalist. Alan endeavors to keep his shoulder to the wheel while Ellie meanwhile finds herself compelled by Alan. The attraction is mutual, but both parties are reluctant to take a next step in this romantic comedy.