Watch Song of Back and Neck

Song of Back and Neck is an independent comedy-drama film from 2018 that follows the story of Fred Trolleycar (Paul Lieberstein), a lowly paralegal in a law firm in Los Angeles who suffers from chronic back and neck pain. Fred's daily routine is monotonous as he spends his time doing paperwork, running errands for his boss, and dealing with a bossy sister.

The film explores his physical and emotional struggles as he tries to cope with his pain and find a solution. He visits a variety of medical practitioners, follows a strict diet, and tries various kinds of physical therapy, but nothing seems to work for him. His life takes a hopeful turn when he meets Regan (Rosemarie DeWitt), a charming but troubled woman who becomes his love interest.

Throughout the film, Fred's inner turmoil is portrayed through his witty and mordant humor. From his awkward attempts to retain his job, to his humorous interactions with the various professionals he visits, the viewer is guaranteed to have more than a few laughs. The film's dry humor lightens up the otherwise serious topic of chronic pain, and the charming performances from Paul Lieberstein and Rosemarie DeWitt add a layer of added depth to the story.

However, aside from the laughs, the film also touches on heavy topics such as addiction and mental illness, which are portrayed in a subtle and nuanced manner. Regan's struggles with addiction and depression, in particular, offer a poignant contrast to Fred's physical struggles, highlighting the broader impact and aftermath of chronic pain.

Director and writer Paul Lieberstein brings an interesting blend of realism and fantasy to the film, using surrealistic dream sequences to dig deeper into Fred's psyche. These sequences are visually stunning and add an element of surrealist whimsy to the film.

Despite its title, Song of Back and Neck is much more than a simple comedy about a man dealing with chronic pain. It showcases an honest and sincere exploration of issues surrounding mental and physical health, while maintaining a balance of levity and humor throughout.

The film also boasts an impressive supporting cast, including director Paul Feig as Fred's wealthy and overbearing boss, and Sam Anderson as Fred's eccentric and unorthodox physical therapist. They all deliver strong performances, with the chemistry between the actors providing for some of the film's most enjoyable scenes.

In terms of technical aspects, the film uses an appropriate selection of music that blends well with its themes. The score is composed by musician John Swihart, who is known for his work in comedy films. The music in Song of Back and Neck is subtle and understated, but it adds an extra dimension to the atmosphere of the film.

In summary, Song of Back and Neck is a heart-warming and sometimes uncomfortable journey that explores the struggles of chronic pain and the emotional complexities that surround it. Paul Lieberstein brings an impressive amount of depth to the film through his writing and directing while managing to balance a difficult subject matter with a delicately offbeat sense of humor. Anyone who has experienced chronic pain or knows someone who has will find this movie relatable and entertaining.

Song of Back and Neck is a 2018 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 27 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.6 and a MetaScore of 51.