The Sweet Life (film)
The Sweet Life is a 2016 American comedy-drama film directed by Rob Spera. It stars Chris Messina and Abigail Spencer as two depressed people who make a road trip to commit suicide at the Golden Gate Bridge.[1][2]
| The Sweet Life | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Rob Spera |
| Produced by | Bonnie Curtis Julie Lynn |
| Written by | Jared Rappaport |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Jeff Beal |
| Cinematography | Gavin Kelly |
| Edited by | Matt Maddox |
Production company | Mockingbird Pictures |
| Distributed by | The Orchard |
Release date |
|
Running time | 90 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Plot
After a long day with no sales, depressed ice cream salesman Kenny Parker meets Lolita Nowicki, an actuary, at a bridge. The two discuss their suicidal feelings and discover they have the same therapist, Frank. Amused by the coincidence, they walk through Chicago, discussing the various forms of therapy suggested by Frank. As they pass a hotel, a man in a Mercedes mistakes Kenny for a valet and hands him his keys. Lolita grabs them and encourages Kenny to join her in a road trip to the Golden Gate Bridge, where they can both commit suicide. Kenny hesitates, assuring Lolita that he has something to live for, but he can not provide an answer when she prompts him.
Their first stop is at a convenience store, where Lolita impulsively tells the clerk that Kenny has a gun. The clerk apologetically says that he must see the gun before he can give them any money. When they admit that they do not have one, he gives them free chewing gum. After leaving, Kenny complains of feeling embarrassed, but Lolita says he is boring and takes too few chances in life. Kenny notices two hillbilly hitchhikers by the side of the road and comments on how unlikely it is they will receive a ride. Lolita demands that he stop and do so. The hitchhikers, Marlon and Brandon, decline their offer. Annoyed that her good deed is rebuffed, Lolita attempts to convince them to get in car. They continue to refuse until Kenny impulsively says he has a gun. Although confused whether they are being kidnapped or given a ride, the men say they are traveling to a UFO museum to scatter the ashes of Marlon's grandmother. Affected their hard-luck tale, Lolita gives them the Mercedes without consulting Kenny.
When Lolita again calls Kenny boring, he surprises her by stealing a car. To her horror, they find a human kidney in storage on the back seat. A cell phone in the car reveals that the kidney is overdue for a transplant, and they take it there. On the way, they are stopped for speeding. Lolita convinces the cops to give them a police escort. At the hospital, the patient's family embraces and thanks them. Believing Kenny to be a good person, Lolita tries to initiate sex when they stop at a hotel, but Kenny awkwardly explains that he is impotent. Nonetheless, they become closer emotionally. The county sheriff comes to tell them the kidney transplant was a success, but that he knows the car is stolen. He drops them off at a bus station to leave town. On the bus, Kenny checks Lolita's cell phone and discovers Frank has been sending her text messages. Kenny accuses her of having sex with Frank; insulted, she leaves his company and gets a ride at a gas station with several men while Kenny continues on the bus.
On the side of the road, Kenny sees Lolita fighting with the men. He gets off the bus and confronts them, almost getting beat up. Lolita produces a pistol, and they back off. When one continues to insult Lolita, Kenny forces the man to give Lolita a heart-felt apology at gunpoint. Impressed, Lolita suggests they continue traveling together. They stop to question Kenny's ex-fiancee about why she left him at the altar, learning that she left him because he was directionless. Marlon and Brandon pick them up in the Mercedes, and they drive the rest of the way to the museum together. Marlon and Brandon give them back the Mercedes when they learn it is stolen, and Kenny and Lolita proceed to California. Lolita pays for a luxury suite at a high class hotel, explaining that their road trip would have been pointless had she previously used her credit card. Kenny helps Lolita reconcile with her mother, who is suffering from Alzheimer's disease. The two have sex. When Kenny wakes, he realizes Lolita is gone, and he rushes to the Golden Gate Bridge. There, the two profess their love for each other and agree not to jump.
Cast
- Chris Messina as Kenny Pantalio
- Abigail Spencer as Lolita Nowicki
- Maggie Siff as Ava
- Tyson Ritter as Marlon
- J. D. Evermore as Brandon
- Jayne Brook as Katherine
- Karan Soni as Convenience Store Clerk
- Nick Searcy as County Sheriff
Reception
Sheri Linden of The Hollywood Reporter called it "equal parts rom-com contrivance and soulful chemistry". Linden said Spencer's character is not believable but praised Messina's acting and chemistry with Spencer.[3]
References
- McNary, Dave (July 7, 2015). "First Look: Chris Messina, Abigail Spencer in Suicide Dramedy 'The Sweet Life'". Variety. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
- Hipes, Patrick (May 25, 2016). "'The Sweet Life' Clip: Chris Messina & Abigail Spencer Check Out In L.A. Film Festival Pic". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
- Linden, Sheri (June 9, 2016). "'The Sweet Life': LAFF Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 4, 2017.