Watch The Pretty One

The Pretty One is a 2013 independent dramedy film starring Zoe Kazan, Jake Johnson, and Ron Livingston. Directed by Jenée LaMarque, the film follows Laurel (Kazan), a socially awkward and introverted 20-something who lives with her father, Frank (Livingston), in a small town. Laurel's twin sister, Audrey (also played by Kazan), is the complete opposite of her - outgoing, popular, and confident.

The film opens with Audrey's tragic death in a car accident, which leaves Laurel devastated and alone. Feeling guilty that she survived, Laurel morphs into Audrey, taking on her personality and evading the reality of her sister's death. This leads to situations that are both comical and heartbreaking as Laurel navigates her new identity.

Laurel decides to move out of her family home and into Audrey's apartment in the city, where she meets her new neighbor, Basel (Johnson), who mistakes her for Audrey. They quickly strike up a friendship, and Basel helps Laurel navigate her new life as Audrey, even going so far as to suggest they start a business together. However, Laurel's lie becomes more complicated when she falls for Basel and he starts to reciprocate her feelings.

As Laurel spends more time with Basel, she begins to realize that she needs to come clean about her true identity. The truth begins to come out when Laurel is forced to return home for her father's birthday and is confronted with the reality of her sister's death. Torn between her guilt and her love for Basel, Laurel must find a way to reckon with her past and move forward with her life.

One of the most compelling aspects of The Pretty One is Kazan's performance. Playing both Laurel and Audrey, she masterfully switches between the two characters, subtly differentiating them with posture, tone, and mannerisms. This is especially impressive given that the two characters are identical twins, and would be expected to look and sound alike. Johnson, who plays Basel, is also noteworthy, bringing humor and heart to his role as he supports Laurel in her newfound identity.

The film also features strong supporting performances from Livingstone as Laurel's grieving father, and Sterling Beaumon as Ryan, a high school student who harbors a crush on Laurel. The warm, naturalistic cinematography by Polly Morgan captures the small-town charm of Laurel and Frank's hometown, as well as the bustling energy of the city.

The Pretty One is ultimately a poignant and relatable story about identity and grief. The film explores how loss can cause us to question who we are and who we want to be, while also showing us that the only way to truly heal is to confront our pain and be honest with ourselves and those around us. With its deft blend of humor and emotion, The Pretty One is a touching portrait of one woman's journey to self-discovery.

The Pretty One is a 2014 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3 and a MetaScore of 53.