Watch Mutual Appreciation

Mutual Appreciation is a 2005 independent film directed by Andrew Bujalski, who also stars in the film alongside Justin Rice and Rachel Clift. Set in Brooklyn, New York, Mutual Appreciation is a slow-paced, intimate character study that explores the relationships between three young people struggling to find their place in the world.

The film centers around Alan (Justin Rice), a struggling musician who has just moved to New York after breaking up with his girlfriend in Boston. He crashes with his college friend Lawrence (Bujalski), a socially awkward and emotionally distant bandmate who seems to be going through a rough patch in his own life. While Lawrence and Alan reconnect over drinks and music, Alan becomes infatuated with Sara (Rachel Clift), an aspiring writer who is also Lawrence's girlfriend.

As the three spend more time together, their relationships become increasingly complex and fraught with tension. Alan and Sara begin to develop a close bond, while Lawrence becomes more and more isolated and withdrawn. Meanwhile, Alan struggles to find his footing in the New York music scene, and Sara grapples with her own artistic aspirations and the pressures of her day job.

One of the defining features of Mutual Appreciation is its focus on character and dialogue rather than plot. Much of the film consists of long, improvised conversations between the three leads, punctuated by moments of music and meandering walks through the city. This approach gives the film a naturalistic, almost documentary-like feel, and allows the actors to explore their characters in depth.

Justin Rice is excellent as Alan, bringing a charming, earnest energy to the role that makes him easy to root for. Rachel Clift is equally strong as Sara, conveying a mix of intelligence and vulnerability that makes her character intriguing and sympathetic. Andrew Bujalski gives a nuanced performance as Lawrence, capturing the character's neuroses and insecurities without resorting to caricature.

While some viewers may find the film's slow pace and lack of traditional plot development frustrating, others may appreciate it as a refreshing change of pace from more formulaic storytelling. Mutual Appreciation is a film that rewards patience and attention to detail, with richly drawn characters and an authentic sense of place and time.

Ultimately, Mutual Appreciation is a film about the difficulties of forging connections with others, and the need for empathy and understanding in a world that can often feel isolating and alienating. It's a small, heartfelt gem of a movie that deserves to be seen and appreciated by anyone who loves thoughtful, character-driven cinema.

Mutual Appreciation is a 2005 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 50 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6 and a MetaScore of 84.