Watch The Intervention
- R
- 2016
- 1 hr 30 min
-
6.0 (6,591)
The Intervention is a 2016 indie comedy-drama film that depicts a group of friends who reunite for a weekend getaway at a quaint, scenic lake house. However, as the weekend unfolds, each of these four couples will be confronted with some uncomfortable truths about their own relationships alongside the relationship of their friends. The film was written and directed by Clea DuVall, an American actress and filmmaker best known for her work in But I'm a Cheerleader, Veep, and Argo.
Melanie Lynskey stars in the leading role as Annie, a schoolteacher who is one of the two main instigators of this weekend trip. Annie is dating a languishing musician named Matt (Jason Ritter), and the two have planned this trip to intervene in the dysfunctional marriage of their close friends, Ruby (Cobie Smulders) and Peter (Vincent Piazza). However, as the other friends arrive, they each begin to open up about their own issues, leading to a series of revelations that ultimately force them all to confront their problems.
Skylar Bernon portrays the teenage daughter of Ruby and Peter, Joey, who is frustrating her parents with her juvenile humour, disinterest in school, and obsessive focus on her phone. She is mostly ignored by her parents and uses her phone as a way to escape from their issues.
The movie features four couples: Annie and Matt, Ruby and Peter, Jessie (DuVall) and Sarah (Natasha Lyonne), and Jack (Ben Schwartz) and Lola (Alia Shawkat). Jack, the comic relief of the movie, is always trying to make the best of things and has a strange optimism towards everything, including the intervention itself.
With The Intervention, DuVall delivers an insightful, well-written, and well-directed film that manages to balance humour and drama. The dialogue is sharp and funny, and the performances of the ensemble cast are uniformly excellent. DuVall's directorial style brings a naturalistic feel to the film, allowing the characters to explore their relationships authentically.
The movie's scenery and quiet ambiance help set the tone for the character's emotional journeys throughout the weekend. The lake house is the perfect place for their getaway, but it's also where they will each be forced to confront some uncomfortable truths. As the nights draw on and the alcohol flows, the group finds itself revealing more and more about their relationships. The plot is very character-driven and allows ample room for each of the characters to explore their own issues.
Overall, The Intervention is a funny, heartfelt indie-drama that will likely resonate with anyone who deals with issues of love and friendship. The film boasts a strong cast, excellent direction, and a poignant script. The characters are well-drawn, and their stories feel like honest depictions of the struggles we all face in relationships. The film is a reminder that sometimes the people we love the most can benefit from a little intervention.
The Intervention is a 2016 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.0 and a MetaScore of 57.