Sociologist Robert Weiss estimates that as many as one-quarter of the American population feels "extremely lonely" at some time during any given month. For most people this feeling passes without causing much distress. Others plunge into depression, sadness, or a long-lasting melancholy mood. Loneliness can be seen as a bad feeling about sometimes good relationships. The distress and dismay that it brings can ultimately serve as a wake-up call to what is really going on in our lives.
Ivy (Zoe Kazan) is a twentyish university student who is visiting her New York City dance teacher mother (Maryann Urbano) during spring break. Her peace and quiet is interrupted by Al (Mark Rendell), a friend since childhood, who needs a place to stay. She and her mother agree to let him sleep on the couch. Ivy listens to his ramblings about dating but most of her attention and yearning is directed toward her romance with a Greg (Franklin Pipp), a fellow student who communicates with her mainly by cell phone. It takes her a long time to realize that he is ready to dump her and return to an old girlfriend. With the loud and intrusive noise of the city, Ivy has a hard time hearing him on her cell phone. But eventually she gets the message and sinks into a funk.
Ivy's feelings of abandonment are accentuated in the social gatherings and parties she attends with Al who loves to be out with people. It is painful to watch her stand or sit alone in these settings. Many of us have experienced being lonely in the presence of others who are enjoying themselves.
Bradley Rust Gray has written and directed this psychologically rich romantic drama that touches our hearts thanks to the multitextured performance by Zoe Kazan. She captures and conveys the heavy toll loneliness takes on the mind, body, and spirit. This is especially true for Ivy who suffers from epilepsy which can be exacerbated by stress. She learns from her loneliness to be less dependent on others and to let go of high expectations as to the immense rewards of intimate relationships. The special magic that blooms in her life out of the soil of her sadness is a pleasure to behold.
Special features on the DVD include "Crafting a Character" — An Interview with Zoe Kazan and Bradley Rust Gray on the Streets of New York City; "Thursday" by Asobi Seksu — A Music Video by Soandbrad; and "Flutter" — Gray's 1997 Short Film from the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts.
