The most alluring thing I like the most about independent films is the uniqueness of their themes. Big budget films touch upon a lot of the same themes that their independent counterparts do but from a very different emotional standpoint. Independent cinema tends to feel more open, which could just be my personal bias, but they are also “closer” to the subject matter willing and comfortable to show darker sides that big budget movies aren’t.
While Nobody Walks does not appear to be completely new in its story, the actors do manage to pull the film up from mediocrity thanks to their performance.
Martine (Olivia Thirlby) is an aspiring young filmmaker that moves to Los Angeles to finish her short documentary piece on insects. Moving to Los Angeles “gets her into trouble”. Martine’s mentor’s Julie (Rosemarie DeWitt) wife, hires her husband sound engineer, Peter (John Krasinski) to help Martine, and like a whirlwind various affairs Martine’s arrival causes affects the family relationships.
Even in this day and age, the storyline of a young artist entering an intimate family setup and wreaking chaos isn’t a fresh concept. Quite frankly, the basic groundwork of the story attempts to depict erotic content. Ironically, youngers Russo Young and Lena Dunham (Tiny Furniture) in all probability had erotic content on their brains on a subconscious level as Martine’s very presence in the household triggers a deluge of sexual activity. And so, Nobody Walks earns its title, as literally no one is left to sift through the remnants of their past lives. It is quite the catchy title, isn’t it?
The acting by the cast members improves what is otherwise a dull plot. A regular Fixist reader will know, and appreciate, that I am a big fan of Olivia Thirlby and while Nobody Walks does not enhance her stature any more than what she has, it is good to see her in another leading role again. The Office’s John Krasinski co stars as the poor father/husband who, unfortunately, finds himself in a sexual vortex from which there is no escape. It is refreshing to see Krasinski cast against type (fun loving, all American, nice guy) as a man in desperate need of sex. DeWitt too has always been known and therefore does not disappoint.
I was, however, a bit surprised to see Justin Kirk (of Weeds fame) play DeWitt’s character’s screenwriter/mental patient. Since I have never seen any of the episodes of Weeds, i was not familiar with Kirk, and though the arrogant Hollywood persona is a cliched character, it was quite entertaining to see Kirk portray it with such ease.
Nobody Walks is not the worst film you can see, but it certainly isn’t the best sever either. The number one issue I had with the film was the development. I am used to independent films having a look and feel of their own, and this one does not break new ground in any angle. It is one thing to use a well known and well used plot, but quite another to offer something new. If you like indie romantic dramas, then you will love Nobody Walks. But if you like your stories with more depth, then this is not the one for you. My apologies, Olivia.
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