By Brian Landa
@BrianLandaLawyer
Molly Gordon is fearless. What a range. In the new movie Oh, Hi! from director Sophie Brooks, co-written by Gordon and co-starring Logan Lerman, she runs the full spectrum of emotions in a film that it’s best to go in knowing very little about. Because you never know where it might go. It starts out as somewhat of a romantic comedy about a relatively new couple (they’ve been seeing each other for a matter of months when we meet them) going to a remote farmhouse for a romantic getaway.
Gordon finds out not long after arrival that their relationship isn’t as solid or monogamous as she thinks. Her expressive face and prominent eyebrows definitely add to the drama and emotion. Things take a turn and a couple other friends (a couple on much more solid ground than this one, which is both a good and a bad thing), played by Geraldine Viswanathan and John Reynolds, show up to either help or create more complications to the situation.
I first noticed Lerman as the younger brother in a fantastic but short-lived dramatic show called “Jack and Bobby” about two brothers, one who is destined to become president. That show also launched the career of Kate Mara. Molly Gordon wears her heart on her sleeve in this one, along with just about everywhere else. As the two explore their extra fancy Airbnb farmhouse, they discover a closet full of S&M toys, which play a huge part in the ongoing plot.
This film explores the nature of relationships, romance and how far people will go for a friend when crossing the line into criminal activity is highly likely. Lerman’s role is a bit more passive in this one, by necessity. But he certainly holds his own against Gordon and friends. Just when you think Gordon won’t go there, she goes there. I’m a big fan of her Claire Bear on “The Bear” and her movie about a musical theater summer camp, with the highly original title Theater Camp, is one of the funniest things I’ve seen in recent years.
I first noticed her in Booksmart, which also launched Beanie Feldstein. So comedies with edge are definitely her wheelhouse. I haven’t seen Lerman in quite as much over the years, but his performance is brave as well. Involuntarily shirtless for the majority of the film, his unhappiness with his situation isn’t quite so unhappy for the audience. Lerman is a good looking guy, and his physical appeal is actually an important plot element.
David Cross shows up in a few scenes as a nearby homeowner, and he’s good for some humor to lighten up the situation. Things do get quite dark, but when black comedy is done well, it can be a thing of dark beauty. Parasite is that kind of black comedy. That one was so transcendent that it was the first international film to ever win an Oscar for Best Picture.
Here, there’s far too much of a risk of spoilers to describe the plot in any detail. I think even the trailer reveals far too much. But I was engrossed the entire time and this one is definitely worth the watch.
“Oh Hi” is in theaters now.
