20130929: Comedy Review--The New Year

The New Year

1. Fundamentals
1. American live action feature length film, 2010, 96 minutes.
2. IMDB: 4.4/10.0 from 113 users. 
3. Rotten Tomatoes: 100%, but 'no consensus yet; 71% liked it from 95 audience reviews.
4. Directed by: Brett Haley, screenplay by Elizabeth Kennedy and Brett Haley.
5. Starring: Trieste Kelly Dunn as Sunny Elliot, Lance Brennon as Glen, Ryan Hunter as Isaac, Linda Lee McBride as Amy, Kevin Wheatly as Neal, David McElfresh as Bobby.


2. Setup and Plot
1. Sunny was valedictorian at her high school, but she drops out of community college when her dad gets terminal cancer.  She takes a job at the local bowling alley, and has been dating the local martial arts instructor, Neal.


2. Her high school nemesis, Isaac, now a fledgling stand-up comedian, drifts back into her life.  She is conflicted.


3. At a party, Neal goes home early.  Sunny goes home with Amy and Bobby.  Before she leaves, she kisses Isaac.


4. The next day, her father goes to the hospital.  Isaac drops everything and stays with her while she waits.


5. The narrative continues, with more disappointments: her father does not get better, the bowling center is going to close, Neal wants to break up with her, Christmas and New Year's Day come with no improvements.


6. It would seem that Sunny will continue, probably making the big adjustments as needed.


3. Conclusions
1. One line summary: Slow moving, but with plenty of good moments.
2. Four stars of five.


4. Scores
1. Cinematography: 10/10 Very nice.  Consistently good.


2. Sound: 10/10 Well-miked, no problems.


3. Acting: 8/10 Mostly good.


4. Screenplay: 8/10  Stayed true to itself; no jump the shark moments.