Everyone needs Drinking Buddies! The majority of the world appreciates a stiff drink at the end of a long day or after a difficult situation, but even more than that they need someone to enjoy those libations with. Those drinks do not taste the same when you are laid back on the couch by yourself as they do when you are surrounded by friends, sharing stories and putting the rest of the world on hold. In Joe Swanberg’s Drinking Buddies, the idea of friendship is the most prominent part of the story, and it depicts the importance of friends, romance and beer.
Kate (Olivia Wilde) and Luke (Jake Johnson) work together at a brewery and they have an undeniable connection with one another. They, on the surface make the perfect couple; however, there is a catch, they are both in relationships with other people. While their significant others, Chris (Ron Livingston) and Jill (Anna Kendrick), respectively, appear to be perfect for them, there is, again, a catch because they, too, have an undeniable connection. As the four Drinking Buddies attempt to navigate their way through their deeply flawed relationships, feelings begin to surface, and they are forced to confront their realities.
The idea of sexual tension is something that most people are familiar with, and most people have experienced it at some point in their life. Swanberg’s Drinking Buddies fully encompasses the idea of sexual tension and the awkwardness that it leads to when dealing with people who are close to you. The incredible amount of sexual tension depicted in this film makes it hard to watch at points, and this is the beauty of the story and Swanberg’s writing. His ability to script the harsh and sometimes unbearable realities of our own lives is a testament to his brilliance. Furthermore, the ability for these actors to convey such difficult emotions speaks volumes to their acting ability and their ability to connect with viewers.
Johnson, Wilde, Livingston and Kendrick have roles that require them to dive deep into their emotional banks and collaborate to create a believable and relatable experience. The four work together so beautifully to create an experience that mirrors the lives of many of the film’s viewers; not necessarily the exact experiences of the viewers, but the general experience of struggling with one’s love life or the sexual tension that arises when dealing with close friends.
The somewhat intrusive story, the impeccably deep acting performances and the relatability of Swanberg’s script made Drinking Buddies a pleasure to watch. While Swanberg develops the script independently, it was clear that bits and pieces of the foursome’s prowess shine through and make this film a collaborative experience. As the many aspects of the film come together, audiences are able to appreciate more and more the product before them. Tiny twists and turns help to weave a beautiful tapestry of depth, and create an ever developing story that continues to appeal to audiences in different ways. Drinking Buddies surpasses expectations and delivers in nearly every way.
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