Having been a big fan of Adam Pally from his TV work, I perhaps was hoping too much for a big screen Happy Endings. This movie is far from that. Though it has its funny moments, especially the opening sequence, and certainly Pally is frequently adorable and even heart breaking, the writing and direction here are so disjointed that i felt like it was three different movies patched together into one. The only time the movie, and Pally, really came to life was in the scenes with Pally's character and his parents. Those rang true, were funny and heart warming. And there was real chemistry among those characters. There was no chemistry between Pally and the object of his affection here, played by Sarah Burns. Her over the top performance and annoying facial tics did nothing to make me like this character or want the leads to end up together. The writing and directing are probably more to blame than Ms. Burns (they gave Mr. Pally a few facial tics of his own that were equally annoying). In the end, everything rings false and you know where it's going from start to finish.
19 Reviews
Be Yourself
ferguson-618 August 2015
Greetings again from the darkness. One of the staples of Romantic Comedies is that the two key players are the only ones who don't realize they are "right" for each other. This is often accomplished through one of two methods: either two characters who "despise" each other, or as characters who are "just good friends". This little film manages to blend those two approaches
and make us laugh in the process.
The first 15 or 20 minutes of the film are packed with very sharp comedy writing and acting. Adam Pally ("Happy Endings") plays Jeff, and Sarah Burns ("Enlightened") plays Anne. These two misfit adults get along very well together both as co-workers and friends who quote literature at (not to) each other. Anne's opening visit to the doctor (played by Peter Grosz of Sonic ad fame) is outright hilarious, while Adam's book club features some real zingers from Bobby Moynihan, Gil Ozeri, and Reid Scott ("Veep").
It's not until Jeff and Anne make a pact to change their public personas in an effort to be "cool" and more attractive to the opposite sex that the film takes kind of a nasty – well at least unlikable – turn. Becoming alcoholic d-bags does help them experience a summer of wild escapades, but predictably, neither is especially happy. Anne picks up pointers from some trashy reality TV show called "Prisoners of Love" a knock-off of "The Bachelor" that deals with convicts and the women who would love them.
Adding to the comedic elements are quick scenes with Cecily Strong, Catherine Reitman (daughter of Ivan) and Kate Flannery, along with a couple of sequences with Jeff's parents (Kevin Dunn, Marceline Hugot). More interactions with the parents would have been a welcome respite from the extended d-baggery of Jeff and Anne.
Mr. Pally is a master of the deadpan delivery, while Ms. Burns can best be described as a Kristen Wiig starter kit (that's a compliment). Co-directors Don Argott and Sheena Joyce, and co-writers Matt Serword and Peter Swords lost sight of what delivered such a strong beginning for the film, and instead focused on reminding us to "embrace the darkness" and to "Be yourself. Everyone else is taken". Good lessons indeed, but maybe not the comedy gold mine that was expected.
The first 15 or 20 minutes of the film are packed with very sharp comedy writing and acting. Adam Pally ("Happy Endings") plays Jeff, and Sarah Burns ("Enlightened") plays Anne. These two misfit adults get along very well together both as co-workers and friends who quote literature at (not to) each other. Anne's opening visit to the doctor (played by Peter Grosz of Sonic ad fame) is outright hilarious, while Adam's book club features some real zingers from Bobby Moynihan, Gil Ozeri, and Reid Scott ("Veep").
It's not until Jeff and Anne make a pact to change their public personas in an effort to be "cool" and more attractive to the opposite sex that the film takes kind of a nasty – well at least unlikable – turn. Becoming alcoholic d-bags does help them experience a summer of wild escapades, but predictably, neither is especially happy. Anne picks up pointers from some trashy reality TV show called "Prisoners of Love" a knock-off of "The Bachelor" that deals with convicts and the women who would love them.
Adding to the comedic elements are quick scenes with Cecily Strong, Catherine Reitman (daughter of Ivan) and Kate Flannery, along with a couple of sequences with Jeff's parents (Kevin Dunn, Marceline Hugot). More interactions with the parents would have been a welcome respite from the extended d-baggery of Jeff and Anne.
Mr. Pally is a master of the deadpan delivery, while Ms. Burns can best be described as a Kristen Wiig starter kit (that's a compliment). Co-directors Don Argott and Sheena Joyce, and co-writers Matt Serword and Peter Swords lost sight of what delivered such a strong beginning for the film, and instead focused on reminding us to "embrace the darkness" and to "Be yourself. Everyone else is taken". Good lessons indeed, but maybe not the comedy gold mine that was expected.
Awkwardly Refreshing
Utoepeea6 October 2015
Honestly, anyone that is deemed a nerd has wondered what would happen if they just let go and be "normal". Most of the time we know how the story goes and what the ending will be, but it's the journey from point a to point b that really sticks with you. These characters are funny, predictable, awkward and goofy, but always genuine. I think that's what resonates with me, the characters reminded me of myself and situations where I've felt like an outsider only to want to grasp on to some popular ideal to eventually come to my senses. I love this movie for exactly what it was, romantic comedy. It did it's job, made me laugh and gave me butterflies. Good job!
By the way, Sarah Burns in the parking lot scene, brilliant!
By the way, Sarah Burns in the parking lot scene, brilliant!
Hmmm...
fil-nik0919 September 2015
This is a cute little movie. It has its fun and silly moments. It has also some which are kinda boring, but, all in all, it is fun to watch.
For me, the funniest moments were in the beginning of the movie, when they make an introduction of the two main roles: the date in the restaurant and the doctor appointment. I guess these first 2,3 minutes of the movie that were funny to me set the tone of the movie as funny although it is not really funny all the time.
It is a cliché movie like millions of other movies where there are two people of the opposite sex. You know from the beginning how the movie will end. It is obvious in this movie too, though the path to 'love' is kinda weird. And that is what I kinda did not like about the movie. The two characters seemed like lost in their 'transition' .
The book group - all in all - had no real purpose in the film. But I do give kudos that the movie does pay tribute to books!
As I said, cute lil movie, but that's just it. Six from me.
For me, the funniest moments were in the beginning of the movie, when they make an introduction of the two main roles: the date in the restaurant and the doctor appointment. I guess these first 2,3 minutes of the movie that were funny to me set the tone of the movie as funny although it is not really funny all the time.
It is a cliché movie like millions of other movies where there are two people of the opposite sex. You know from the beginning how the movie will end. It is obvious in this movie too, though the path to 'love' is kinda weird. And that is what I kinda did not like about the movie. The two characters seemed like lost in their 'transition' .
The book group - all in all - had no real purpose in the film. But I do give kudos that the movie does pay tribute to books!
As I said, cute lil movie, but that's just it. Six from me.
Okay I guess if you like rom-coms
deloudelouvain13 January 2016
Well Slow Learners is what it is. A rom-com. I wasn't bored or so. It had some silly funny moments but also some boring yawning stuff. But for somebody that like romantic comedies it might be fun to watch. I am not one of those guys so to me it's just okay to watch once. There were a couple situations I had to laugh with but it's just not good enough to me to be remembered in the long haul. The actors are not bad though. They are funny at moments. But it's just the story. It doesn't get me thrilled. I watched it once and that's it for me. I won't watch it again. I don't regret watching it though. I just prefer other comedies then romantic ones.
Spoils itself for no good reason
dwasifar21 January 2016
The film starts off amiably enough, setting up its two lead characters to be mostly likable in an awkward, gangly, vulnerable way. The story hinges on the efforts by the two leads to change their lives and themselves. In the process of trying, the characters (especially the girl) become so unpleasant that they squander all the viewer sympathy built up earlier. In movies like this, you know how the two characters are going to wind up; you watch it just to see how they eventually get there. But by the time these two get there, you really don't feel like they deserve a happy ending. The outtakes in the closing credits are funnier than the last two-thirds of the film.
A Hilarious Parody of Awkward Relationships and Life Experiences
katiemrry22 May 2016
I've watched this movie several times in the past few weeks. I think a lot of people try to take this movie more seriously than they should. Being a person in her mid twenties as well, I found this to be very lighthearted and up-lifting. A sort of reminder of the weird, awkward situations we find ourselves in throughout our lives. But this movie makes it very amusing. I think you have to have a particular type of humor to appreciate this movie for what it is: a parody on addressing change in your life in response to some shitty situations.
The way the characters transform over their summer break is really drastic. Usually when we change as people, we tend to overcompensate and fall back somewhere in the middle, which is where this leads. Two, early thirties people decide to explore a part of themselves they've never had a chance to. Whether they were pursuing careers or building other relationships. The way they go about it is raw and sort of awkwardly wild - which I appreciated it. We've met people in those stages in their lives before. And I'm sure at some point, we will or have done it.
Lastly, the sources of their inspiration are very amusing. In addition, the quotes and jokes in this movie are a riot. All of the dialogue is something we've either thought of on a date, or have feared happening. So, go into this movie lighthearted and ready for a good laugh.
The way the characters transform over their summer break is really drastic. Usually when we change as people, we tend to overcompensate and fall back somewhere in the middle, which is where this leads. Two, early thirties people decide to explore a part of themselves they've never had a chance to. Whether they were pursuing careers or building other relationships. The way they go about it is raw and sort of awkwardly wild - which I appreciated it. We've met people in those stages in their lives before. And I'm sure at some point, we will or have done it.
Lastly, the sources of their inspiration are very amusing. In addition, the quotes and jokes in this movie are a riot. All of the dialogue is something we've either thought of on a date, or have feared happening. So, go into this movie lighthearted and ready for a good laugh.
Cringeworthy
Phoenix_from_the_ashes2 April 2017
This movie is such a massive fail on so many levels I don't even know where to begin. The characters are vapid and annoying. Both Jeff and Anne are 30 and working with teenagers, but they behaviour is worse than their pupils'. One day, Jeff and Anne just decide to reject everything they are and become spoilt brats. It's like they never formed their own personalities at all, it's that easy to suddenly turn into bad-tempered immature caricatures of themselves, and Anne does it so well you want to slap her.
Even before their 'metamorphosis,' there's nothing engaging about them; it makes you question why they even like each other and what Anne's best female friend sees in her. In fact, that friend seems to be the only remotely formed and mature character in the whole movie. All other 'adults' are silly to the point of not being believable.
As to the humour, it's incredibly forced and therefore falls flat every single time. Swearing is rife to the extent that it's distasteful. The writers were probably going for the world's record number of swear words in a film. Obscenities can be a useful medium, and extremely witty at that, if used skilfully; unfortunately that skill seems to be missing here entirely.
Extremely disappointing and a waste of time.
Even before their 'metamorphosis,' there's nothing engaging about them; it makes you question why they even like each other and what Anne's best female friend sees in her. In fact, that friend seems to be the only remotely formed and mature character in the whole movie. All other 'adults' are silly to the point of not being believable.
As to the humour, it's incredibly forced and therefore falls flat every single time. Swearing is rife to the extent that it's distasteful. The writers were probably going for the world's record number of swear words in a film. Obscenities can be a useful medium, and extremely witty at that, if used skilfully; unfortunately that skill seems to be missing here entirely.
Extremely disappointing and a waste of time.
Casting! Fantastic! Direction? Over their heads
itel8 February 2017
Casting was wonderful for the mains to the bits. Writing was good to tolerable, but the directors lost the cast. I think based on direction and editing, the directors lost control of the movie making process, and stitched together the wrong part of this movie to create a strong Rom Com. This movie appeared under-funded and wandering like a bad Mel Brooks joke of lost Moses.
These directors failed to stop the car and ask for direction - the cast was stronger than they were and they failed to bring this back with good editing. WHat a waste of a budget, waste of a great cast that could have done more work together, and mostly, what a waste of a fantastic casting director. I've even watched this twice to try to throw the director(s) a bone - they need to stick to documentaries where the story tells the story.
Watch 25 min then go straight to the outtakes - this was embarrassing.
These directors failed to stop the car and ask for direction - the cast was stronger than they were and they failed to bring this back with good editing. WHat a waste of a budget, waste of a great cast that could have done more work together, and mostly, what a waste of a fantastic casting director. I've even watched this twice to try to throw the director(s) a bone - they need to stick to documentaries where the story tells the story.
Watch 25 min then go straight to the outtakes - this was embarrassing.
Starts decently, but goes off the rails
zetes11 January 2016
This film starts as a perfectly decent indie romcom, but somewhere in the middle it loses its way and becomes pretty terrible. For the second night in a row, I chose a movie based solely on Adam Pally's presence. He is, as always, quite good. His partner in crime here is Sarah Burns. I like Burns (mostly from the show Enlightened), but she and her character are mostly what's wrong with this film. She starts off quite well, but over the course of the film she becomes an insufferable jerk. The plot involves these two as dorky losers who work together at a high school. When summer starts, they decide they have to become cool to find love. They are both successful, but Burns becomes insanely jealous of Pally and goes crazy. Much of the problem is with the script, but Burns plays it all quite terribly and loudly. We know these two will end up together, but I spent half the film hoping like Hell Pally would realize Burns is a total psycho and keep his distance. The film has some good scenes and a few nice laughs, mostly in its first half. The strongest scenes involve Gil Ozeri and Bobby Moynihan as two nerdy brothers who are in a book club with Pally. I'd love to see a movie about these two.
Hits all the beats
BluePoetProductions30 August 2015
Much in the vein of an eighties or early nineties structured story arc, "Slow Learners" is a fun take on the classic transformation from Geek to Chic, only to find out it's not all that it's cracked up to be. But in this case instead of it being a couple of kids going to high school, it's the school's librarian and guidance councilor, feeling unfulfilled with their lives, deciding to change their reps, during summer break. Hilarious casting by the legendary Allison Jones, puts amazing comic actors in the able hands of directors Sheena Joyce and Don Argott, as they take their first leap out from documentary features to this Rom-com, that hits all the right story beats from start to finish.
6.5/10
homerthefreak-786-65883130 June 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Right off the bat this movie was hitting me with laugh after laugh and I was really enjoying it. Then, the plot happened. It's kind of hard to tell at first or when watching the trailer if this is a straight- comedy movie or if it's one of those movies like The Skeleton Twins (which I haven't seen, I'm just using it as an example) where there are some jokes and it's light-hearted now and then, but at the core it's a... well I'm not sure what the word is, but like light drama with not very complex plot that just shows a couple people's lives. Hopefully you know the type of movie I'm talking about there. But yeah, this movie was the second one. Which is kind of a shame because like I said, when there were jokes they were really good. Some of the lines with the book club had me cracking up! They started to space out the jokes a lot more as the plot progressed and they became more centered around the drama in the characters' lives, though. Which I have to say wasn't extremely compelling. I mean... it was fine, but it also frustrated me how they ended up making it be about the romantic tension between Sarah Burns and Adam Pally's characters. I personally would have much preferred it if they had kept them as friends. There was even a line from Burns' character early in the film where she says (and I'm paraphrasing, here) "That is so cliché! So the two single people in the room automatically belong together?", but then they go ahead and use the cliché anyway! It's very frustrating.
Anyway, they do manage to throw in some pretty solid jokes here and there dispersed throughout the character's situations, at least. They even end strongly on one last joke, although it is paired with a kiss between the two main characters (which again, I'm totally against them being a couple).
It is nice to see these actors getting some work, because all the one's I recognize in this movie are really funny and under-appreciated and they really prove just how funny they can be in this film. Adam Pally is actually one of my favorite actors to stumble upon while watching things, ever since I saw him on the show Happy Endings. I also really liked seeing Catherine Reitman, Bobby Moynihan, and Cecily Strong. Everyone else I didn't really recognize, but they were really good too.
I really wanted to put this movie on my recommendations list 2016 after sitting through the first couple minutes of jokes, but by the end of the movie I didn't feel like I had enjoyed it enough to recommend it.
Anyway, they do manage to throw in some pretty solid jokes here and there dispersed throughout the character's situations, at least. They even end strongly on one last joke, although it is paired with a kiss between the two main characters (which again, I'm totally against them being a couple).
It is nice to see these actors getting some work, because all the one's I recognize in this movie are really funny and under-appreciated and they really prove just how funny they can be in this film. Adam Pally is actually one of my favorite actors to stumble upon while watching things, ever since I saw him on the show Happy Endings. I also really liked seeing Catherine Reitman, Bobby Moynihan, and Cecily Strong. Everyone else I didn't really recognize, but they were really good too.
I really wanted to put this movie on my recommendations list 2016 after sitting through the first couple minutes of jokes, but by the end of the movie I didn't feel like I had enjoyed it enough to recommend it.
Often Painful to Watch
larrys323 December 2015
For me, this movie was often painful to watch and even cringe inducing at times. It just seemed the intended humor, except for an occasional chuckle, fell "flat as a pancake" and barely worked on any level.
Adam Pally and Sarah Burns co-star here as Jeff and Anne respectively. They're both on the faculty of Jefferson High School, in Pennsylvania. They're also very close friends and both self-described dorks, who become painfully awkward when trying to interact with members of the opposite sex.
With the school term over, and the summer break beginning, Jeff and Anne make a decision to radically change their nebishy personae, and attempt to become what they deem as "cool". This will lead to some wild and crazy situations in their lives, and eventually not the outcomes they expected.
Just to note, the film, directed by Don Argott and Sheena M. Joyce, with a script from Matt Serword, has highly explicit and crude language throughout, as well as a number of sexual situations.
All in all, this comedy was not worth the painful slog to get to the predictable conclusion, in my opinion. As the final credits roll, the outtakes show us that the cast had a heck of a good time making this move, and a lot better time than I had in viewing it.
Adam Pally and Sarah Burns co-star here as Jeff and Anne respectively. They're both on the faculty of Jefferson High School, in Pennsylvania. They're also very close friends and both self-described dorks, who become painfully awkward when trying to interact with members of the opposite sex.
With the school term over, and the summer break beginning, Jeff and Anne make a decision to radically change their nebishy personae, and attempt to become what they deem as "cool". This will lead to some wild and crazy situations in their lives, and eventually not the outcomes they expected.
Just to note, the film, directed by Don Argott and Sheena M. Joyce, with a script from Matt Serword, has highly explicit and crude language throughout, as well as a number of sexual situations.
All in all, this comedy was not worth the painful slog to get to the predictable conclusion, in my opinion. As the final credits roll, the outtakes show us that the cast had a heck of a good time making this move, and a lot better time than I had in viewing it.
Watch it, but a missed opportunity
iantrader15 April 2018
Watch the first half of this movie and you, with any luck, will think it's seriously underrated. It's a witty script and there are some laugh out loud moments - ok, so I'd had a beer, but there are some great lines and situations.
However, the conceit for the transition into the middle part of the story is not really believable which renders the rest of the movie less believable. It's to do with character transformation although, I guess, if you accept 'arsehole' as an inevitable male transform it may work for you.
But once that's resolved, the movie ends as you'd totally expect it to end right from the first few frames so no real surprises. The joy is in the journey but, sadly, it loses the path of cleverness oit lays in the first half.
Sadly, a widely missed opportunity although I'd recommend it for the first half alone.
However, the conceit for the transition into the middle part of the story is not really believable which renders the rest of the movie less believable. It's to do with character transformation although, I guess, if you accept 'arsehole' as an inevitable male transform it may work for you.
But once that's resolved, the movie ends as you'd totally expect it to end right from the first few frames so no real surprises. The joy is in the journey but, sadly, it loses the path of cleverness oit lays in the first half.
Sadly, a widely missed opportunity although I'd recommend it for the first half alone.
Oh my God punch Sarah Burns in the face
xhidden9930 December 2015
Shut up shut up shut up shut up for God's sake shut up no one wants to hear your whiny drone jammed into every single nano second of this awful cringworthy horrid dull trainwreck. I've watched a lot of bad movies before but this is the first one in a long time that makes me want to spree kill a room full of late 20's slacktards. The writing is godawful as it strives to actually make your skin crawl. The casting is perfect if you want to wage genocide on fat depressed dirty haired losers. It's like a.car crash. You know it's a nauseating repulsive thing but you just can't pull your eyes away. There is nothing to recommend this abortion with the exception of hoping that Sarah Burns is killed in an industrial accident.
Really bad
miran-kaligaric5 December 2020
Like Being Drunk and throwing up...Hilarious In A Freaky Way
sunnysweetspotfacebook18 January 2016
I found this movie hilarious...but I am a geek so it fits. Remember the line in Animal House? "Fat Drunk and Stupid Is No Way to Go Through Life Son.....?" Yep this movie has a a lot of moments like this...it is very quirky...I live in Tacoma...and so this movie made me laugh...Pierce County is like being in a form of hell for smart people...so I found this movie very funny because I have learned the truths of why cool people seem cool at a certain age and then they don't. My favorite line..."about the guy in prison making a whole room of women run after and fight over a guy that...can't read...." why is America like this? esp. Pierce Co? Last year a very good friend died...I knew when she married the guy that could not read (because he looked good in a leather jacket and on a Harley) she would die early and she did...but everyone thought they were cool. I Like literate People....LITERATE, LITERALLY, so this movie...is clever...and probably why a lot of people do not think it is comical. Ultimately we all learn...staying drunk...makes you seem cool, if only to yourself....Especially in Pierce Co. Tacoma is one drunken town...this movie IS funny and accurate. Maybe I am cynical now? I laughed my ass off. Ya gotta right? I found a lot of truths in this spoof...and the acting was perfect...for a comedy, enjoy.
Loved it !
artdeco42-130 June 2017
Warning: Spoilers
The first scene is amazing. Megan Neuringer is devastating to our hero on their date and so unique looking while doing it. I can barely keep up with the facial and physical quirkiness of Sarah Burns throughout the movie, and I think Adam Palley's character feels the same way. I think there is a lot or truth in this movie than most people are comfortable admitting. The supporting actors are all great too, very strong cast. Great music too.
See also
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