Keira Knightley
Chloë Grace Moretz
Sam Rockwell
Kaitlyn Dever
Jeff Garlin
Ellie Kemper
Mark Webber
Daniel Zovatto

Andrea Seigel

99 mins.
Comedy, Romance
October 24, 2014

Rated R for language, some sexual material and teen partying. (MPAA)

“Laggies,” directed by Lynn Shelton and written by YA novelist and first-time screenwriter Andrea Seigel, has a premise that would be disturbing in the wrong hands. Just the thought of what it could have been keeps me up at night. (Not really.) Fortunately, Shelton is the right director for this. Her style lends itself to the seemingly aimless and airy. So, when Keira Knightley’s lead character forms friendships with teenagers, it doesn’t seem weird. Actually, you sympathize with her and understand that she won’t do irreparable harm to the teens. Her behavior comes across as inappropriate yet genuine. That’s harder to pull off than it sounds. Knightley, Shelton, and Seigel deserve praise for that.

However, this film is a collection of scenes that don’t quite gel. Some scenes work better than others. In particular, Knightley’s scenes with Sam Rockwell work the best. They have a nice chemistry together that helps to blend the serious and the light-hearted with ease. Their work is a testament to listening and responding: A common acting technique that many actors overlook … to their peril. The rest of the scenes are hit or miss. While none of them miss completely, a few don’t hit as precisely as they should.

Shelton didn’t have that problem with “Your Sister’s Sister,” one of her previous films. That film was more successful and consistent than this one. If you haven’t seen it and you like indies, check it out. It rides along rather well with an awkward sensibility, which is common to Shelton’s films. They all have the spirit of improvisation, and her actors never seem exactly sure of what’s going to come next.

Here’s the bottom line: If you like indie comedies with a gentle touch, then “Laggies” may work for you. While the subject matter might seem frivolous at times, there’s just enough substance underneath the amusement to overcome that. But I remain on the fence with this one. I wouldn’t want to watch the whole thing again, but I also wouldn’t mind seeing the scenes between Knightley and Rockwell once more. Those two should work together again in a film that gives them an opportunity to go even further. I never would have thought to put the two of them in the same film (let alone the same scene), but, after seeing this film, their pairing makes sense. Good acting is good acting, after all. And they seem genuinely interested in each other. If only this film could have matched their level of execution … that would’ve been something to behold.

Verdict: OK to Somewhat Good

About: (Source: laggiesthemovie.tumblr.com)

Overeducated and underemployed, 28-year-old Megan (Keira Knightley) is in the throes of a quarter-life 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). Director Lynn Shelton (Your Sister’s Sister, Humpday) crafts a sweet, romantic coming-of-age comedy about three people who find their lives intertwined in the most unconventional way as they make their way through the imperfect realities of modern-day life.