Person to Person (2017) User Reviews

I've got music in my heart, I've got love for it

[tcworthington · 7/10 · 20 February 2018]

I watched this film at the Toronto Internation Film Felstival's Next Wave, which was free for anyone under 25 years of age, with more than 300 other young people. I like to read reviews to get a general consensus on how a film performed, and I almost didn't go to this one because of the reviews I had read, which were mostly negative; but one of my friends had said: "You can't always trust the reviews." She was right.

After the film the director Dustin Guy Defa got on the stage to have a discussion and a Q&A about the film. It was shot on 16mm film, which gave it its subtle grain and warm look. Defa revealed that the main character Bene, the nice-shirt wearing record collector, was his actual real-life roomate, and the central figure he wanted the film to revolve around. Defa also discussed how Bene and Michael Cera's character Phil both deeply loved music, yet expressed it in different ways. Phil's is this aggressive metal, which is his only way to express himself, but he plays it to try and impress others, and this extends into his whole character. Whereas Bene loves collecting records and listening to beautiful soul, and is able to express himself not only through music but also his relationships with his best friend and roommate Ray and girlfriend Francis. Bene is able to act with passion in any situation, showing "big love," and even willing to break legs when his kindness is taken for granted.

I interpreted Phil and Bene's juxtaposition as the difference between listening to music with your mind and feeling it with your heart and soul. Phil's music was very lyrical and chaotic, where Bene's was smooth and danceable. I'm not saying one music choice is better than the other, but you see where each character ends up at the end of the film, and this is not only due to their music choice, but also the way they behave in the world.

Overall I thought the film was light and had this unexplainable warmness to it. It did have moments where it fell flat, like when Wendy and Melanie have a conversation about genitalia that ends with long awkward silence, which comes off as uncomfortable rather than the humor which was intended.

Nonetheless, my friend and I very much enjoyed the film, and I hope to see more from the great Dustin Guy Defa, the beautiful Tavi Gevinson, and the nice shirt wearing Bene Coopersmith in the future.

bad

[lukejacobson · 5/10 · 15 July 2019]

This is the most perplexing crap I've ever seen. Is it sincere mumblecore or is all the awkwardness due to a poor writing/subpar acting? Definitely has good moments, definitely has terrible moments. I don't know

Gets Better As It Goes

[matthewssilverhammer · 6/10 · 1 July 2022]

It took me a minute to get on this movie's wavelength, but I started really digging it about halfway through; I think it was the bike chase that ultimately won me over, or maybe it was the progression of the Michael Cera / Abbi Jacobson relationship. Since finishing the film, it's only grown in my estimation. It's a scrappy, messy, funny, quiet, insightful indie comedy that I may still be underrating.

Has Its Moments of Quirky Humor But Film Loses Steam as it Progresses

[larrys3 · 4/10 · 31 October 2017]

The movie follows an ensemble cast of characters as they face various situations in their lives, all in one day in New York City. The humor here can be subtle and quirky at times, but the film itself loses steam, in my opinion, as it progresses and ends up not really going anywhere.

There were moments when I felt this indie had a Woody Allen feel to it, but those moments were too few and far between. All in all, some sparks of cleverness but they just weren't sustained.

Unimpressed

[xposipx · 3/10 · 8 September 2017]

I was intrigued by the trailer and looked forward to viewing Person to Person for quite a while. Perhaps it's my fault for having high expectations, but this fell completely flat.

I love Woody Allen movies. For whatever reason, I expected this to be rival some of Allen's recent work with witty, humorous dialogue that goes by quickly with a smart theme. Person to Person includes neither. It's empty, illogical, and boring.

This may sound like a compliment, but I mean it in the worst way possible: The movie flows like a mixture of a Todd Solondz movie mixed with Jim Jarmusch. However, it lacks the awkward sleaziness of Solondz and the uniqueness of most Jarmusch films.

The story follows multiple New Yorkers throughout one day - this has been done before many times and more successfully. Michael Cera and his story shines while the others relentlessly drag on. I lost interest in every other character pretty early on. The writing is mediocre and many of the actors struggle through the corny lines and story-lines.

In short, the subtle tone here falls flat. I really wanted to love Person to Person, but it's simply boring and insignificant.

Perhaps the worst movie I've ever seen

[bellmattl · 2 December 2017]

This movie was so pointless and tedious that I signed on to IMDb for the first time in a decade just to let you all know. It is everything bad about indie films and nothing good. It's an insult to good taste. I'm a huge Cera fan, and was thrilled to see Abbi from Broad City in the cast. How could a movie with these two stellar people be so terrible? I just don't know. I wouldn't wish this hour and a half of boring torture on my worst enemy. And I usually like these kinds of films. It might be the worst movie I've ever sat through.

The worst I've seen in many years

[rockinrobert2003 · 1/10 · 1 July 2021]

The writing in this film is horrible but the directing is even worse. Most of the acting was terrible also. Writer/Director Dustin Guy Defa should be ashamed of himself for this waste of time film. I really wanted to turn it off, but I'm the type that has to see a movie to its end no matter how horrible it is, hoping there might be something worthwhile watching it to it's end, but not in this case. If I ever take notice of Dustin Guy Defa's name in credits again I will not watch it because he did such a horrible job Directing the garbage he wrote. Have you ever seen someone that can't read very well and struggle to read something? Trying to read the letters word for word something that they weren't familiar with and never read before, that is what these non-actors sounded like with absolutely no emotion! There's no way these actors rehearsed their lines. I was honestly looking for the cue cards in the background. And the director should've seen this and try to correct it. Most of the actors seemed to be disorientated or confused and had to fake their lines. I was always under the impression that actors was supposed to do their job emotionally and physically; to be believable like the actor really is that person. (Michael Cera as Phil and Philip Baker Hall as and Jimmy Isiah Whitlock Jr. As Buster are good actors. But your not going to sound good when you have dialog this awful.) Seriously do not waste your time and find something else decent to watch.

Throwback to when movies were allowed to be simple and speak for themselves

[jamiesbeck · 10/10 · 20 November 2022]

Throwback to when movies were allowed to be simple and speak for themselves.

Of course today this movie is going to miss the mark for most people but us older folk who can appreciate a simply good movie that has a simple stories to tell and are able to let it play out will APPRECIATE it. Some characters grow. Some, well some do just the opposite.

Several story lines which appear to be in complete different directions. But are they? I dont know if writer/director would want to hear this but if you like Woody Allen storylines and old school feel, without the uptight anxious sensation, then you should give this a try. Sorry to the writer if he get this a lot.

actors did well, but...

[ksf-2 · 5/10 · 27 January 2023]

A look at a day in the life of a bunch of new yorkers, with their own tasks to complete. And because it's new york, everyone is a bit quirky. Some familiar faces...michael cera was in every film, for a while. He and the writer had made "entertainment" together in 2015. Tavi gevinson was on gossip girl. Abbi jacobson was the mind behind "broad city"; i didn't see it, but it was nominated for some emmies. In one story, the cops are investigating a murder, so phil hires claire to help dig into a murder, for his paper. But he's a terrible reporter. A couple of the stories just weren't that interesting. I kept waiting for the various stories to intersect. But they never do. Some negatives... wendy talks in long, run-on sentences, which gets annoying fast. When the cops go to arrest someone, they don't identify themselves as cops, they don't say what they want, and no-one shows a badge. The script needed work; maybe the writer should have concentrated on one of the stories, and really developed it. This grouping of short, unrelated tales doesn't really go anywhere. Written and directed by dustin defa. It's such a random group of ideas that didn't catch my interest.

Good actors in a bad movie.

[Shaaranya · 5/10 · 26 July 2023]

The actors did good if you look at their individual performances. They're acting and presentation of their roles is really nice but it was all let down by a very weak story.

I felt that the makers of Person to person tried too hard to make an anthology (?) which would be super plain and blow people's minds....but they missed.

I don't know what it takes to make a good anthology movie because I'm not a writer or director but this isn't it.

I started watching for the actors and finished it for them too. The story doesn't have the strength to keep you hooked.

Some bland and simple movies make you feel human and that's what was unsuccessfully attempted with person to person.

Had no expectations, yet this movie met all of them.

[trinitywhitleyf · 10/10 · 25 March 2019]

I had never even heard of this movie before clicking on it (I've recently fallen in love with Michael Cera and searched his name on Hulu in a desperate attempt to find something other than his more popular films such as Scott Pilgrim VS the World, Superbad, or Juno.). I went into it expecting nothing, but I was pleasantly surprised. The movie follows four people in New York City over the course of one day, each facing their own unique trials. The movie is definitely on the edgy-artsy-indie side and has that certain awkward and uncomfortable air around the characters and dialogue. It was interesting throughout the entire film. I was surprised when it ended because I was so captivated that it felt like it just started. You'll never guess what'll happen next. If you're looking for a happy ending with a complete resolution, this isn't the movie for you. The characters don't really have a complete wrap up and round off except for Benny. It leaves you slightly dissatisfied, but I still enjoyed the movie. The characters are all extremely lovable and relatable despite how odd and unique they are. The movie was well executed.

Aquired Taste

[darkdaxtervc · 10/10 · 3 May 2020]

I can definitely see people being bored with this movie. I've seen a lot of movies like it that fail miserably and are relentlessly boring. This film is different. I liked ALL of the characters. They all carried a distinct persona despite limited screen-time and are very relatable. Each person is layered and genuine, none of whom are wholly good or bad. The humor is subtle yet gratifying and conflicts are handled maturely.

In a sense this movie connects all the disparate parts of the self: the quiet and anxious Abbi, the desperate showoff in Cera, the gloomy brooder in Ray, the arrogant insecure teen in Wendy, the insecure lovestruck teen in Melanie, and the passionate local "hero." Nothing feels forced or contrived. I can definitely see myself watching this many times in the future. I honestly didn't mind the lack of action and drama because I just wanted to sit with each character.

I can assure you I'm not a paid shill either. This movie isn't for everyone, but if you give it a chance I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Rare that a movie makes you feel more human

[hbartle22 · 8/10 · 18 May 2021]

This movie made me laugh, has great, memorable characters and a terrific Michael Cera performance. What more do you want? For the right person, the movie is as simply satisfying as a Sunday morning.

I got big love for this movie

[campbel-11998 · 10/10 · 9 June 2022]

I loved the good-natured Bene Coopersmith. Great ensemble cast, great rhythm, and it's not too often we're served with endings like that!

I don't really see the flatness or dullness or empty simplicity I'm reading about in the negative reviews. I liked the stream of consciousness vibe and think we saw a good mix of existential dread, and the passions that lead us on journeys either away from, or back to that existential dread.

I really enjoyed that ending.

I thought it was bad

[markerdasharker · 10/10 · 6 August 2020]

But I really hope shota Taylor Swift stabbed them.