Couples starts with a happy couple sitting on a couch talking to the camera. It ends with one man sitting on the same couch talking to the camera. In between the couple on a couch motif is repeated as we get a wild story of romance and other crimes in the lives of various inter-related people.
The plot of the film is way too complicated to simply relate. It begins with a couple meeting on a bus, shifts gears to a couple in a café getting together- or rather agreeing to get together if he can come up with enough money to buy a house. He does, and it all goes wrong from there including a near car accident that goes wrong, a bank robbery, and assorted other crimes. As the story spins out we see how every seeming unrelated bit ties in to every other bit.
It’s grand farce done in high style.
At first I kind of groaned at some of the humor which had terrible things happening to a seemingly nice guy, then it got bigger and sillier and I could agree with his assessment that this was the worst day ever even as I was laughing at his plight. From there I watched as various couples came together and fell a part in a romantic comedy of errors.
This film blindsided me. It was the 19th film I saw in prepping for the NYAFF and while I had been enjoying the films, other than the older films only one or two films really impressed me and sent me over the moon. I was beginning to think this was going to be a festival of just good films with very few great ones (which is the opposite of the way it usually goes). I put this on with the half hearted intention of being disappointed. I was shocked at how much I was smiling and laughing. Sure it’s more a confection than a meal, but it’s a wonderfully sweet one that puts a big broad smile on your face. I can’t see anything wrong with that.
Actually the film is so good that I can’t wait to see it again.
If you like farce or romantic comedies or just funny comedies go see this film. It will make you laugh, it will make you smile. It will make you feel good.
I can’t say anything better than that except go see it.
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