‘Serious People’ Review: L.A. Comedy About Indie Filmmakers Hoping to Work for Drake Has No Follow Through on Its Doppelganger Premise

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In the Los Angeles comedy-drama “Serious People,” there’s an intriguing blend of authenticity and extreme oddness that coexist quite closely. While this contrast is noteworthy, the unique tone of the movie eventually becomes less engaging due to a plot centered around identity swapping, which lacks a clear objective or resolution.

The movie, directed by Pasqual Gutierrez and Ben Mullinkosson, starts off thrilling and enigmatic, featuring a group of unidentified Latino actors trying out for an unusual role: playing the director casting them, with Pasqual (portrayed by the film’s own co-director, Gutierrez). Various potential candidates appear, each distinct in appearance, talent level, and ambition; among them is Miguel (Miguel Huerta), a bodybuilder aspiring to be a social media sensation, who struts in with confidence, affectation, and a striking resemblance to Pasqual (amplified by the identical sunglasses they both wear). When asked about his directing philosophy, Miguel nonchalantly answers “I just have to be you.” This remark brings a smile to Pasqual’s face, though it could easily be misunderstood as “I just have to outdo you” – foreshadowing future events.

The unusual circumstances surrounding the job interview for a music video project with rap star Drake are later explained in flashbacks. Pasqual and his partner Raul (Raul Sanchez) were chosen to direct this project, seen as a significant leap forward for them. The film was made several months prior to Drake’s high-profile feud with Kendrick Lamar, but the humor lies in the fact that since then, Drake has become a subject of public ridicule, making the premise even more amusing. However, Pasqual faces a complication in his career aspirations. His wife Christine (played by Christine Yuan, who was pregnant during production and gave birth on the day of shooting) is due to deliver on the very same day as the shoot. To have his best of both worlds, Pasqual devises an imprudent, outlandish scheme: he hires Miguel, who is overly enthusiastic, to stand in for him during the shoot, despite Raul’s reservations.

Gutierrez and Mullinkosson maintain a structured approach throughout their meta-textual jokes, making it seem effortlessly spontaneous, whether it’s impressively done or not. Their detailed, insightful comments, combined with their unexpectedly angled close-ups, make “Serious People” entertaining even before Miguel appears on screen. Once he does, he blends seamlessly with Pasqual during meetings and location scouts, acting as if he were his shadow. As a wannabe director, Miguel introduces lively (and sometimes flirtatious) behavior, hinting at the potential disastrous outcome of this plan.

On my journey, I found myself grappling with apprehensions about my upcoming fatherhood, specifically my concerns over a divided self before and after my child’s birth – struggling to recall who I was prior to becoming a parent. Miguel’s presence served as an external reflection of these doubts, but “Serious People” isn’t just symbolically deep (although it does echo themes like Denis Villeneuve’s film “Enemy”). The movie subtly explores the concept of duality, hinting at what Miguel could symbolize for me in the future.

As Miguel’s behavior becomes increasingly erratic during his directorial stint – which started to grate on Raul’s nerves – he embodies a persistent, arrogant creative ego. This leads to some hilariously blunt exchanges with individuals who hold significant influence over my career. Gradually, the complications pile up, escalating until… well, they reach an impasse of sorts. Nothing particularly dramatic happens.

The movie “Serious People” concludes its main storyline in an unexpectedly abrupt and hollow manner, despite having intriguing concepts. It struggles to fully develop these ideas, only hinting at complex themes of paternal and creative concerns through its humor. For a film that appears deeply personal—one that reflects real-life experiences through the lens of the extraordinary, and is birthed from free-flowing discussions among actual friends—it lacks a fulfilling or relatable conclusion, despite numerous comical scenes set up throughout. Interestingly, its only significant payoff is the surreal extent of its Drake-centric nature (even going as far as casting a doppelganger), which often turns out to be absurdly amusing due to circumstances unrelated to the movie itself.

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2025-01-28 08:48