Say When (a.k.a. Laggies), 2014
Directed by Lynn Shelton
Starring Keira Knightley, Chloë Grace Moretz, Sam Rockwell, Mark Webber, Jeff Garlin, Gretchen Mol, Ellie Kemper, Eric Riedmann
SYNOPSIS:
A woman in her late twenties experiences a quarter-age crisis, setting her off on a path to rediscover her youth and enthusiasm for life…
When do you know that you’re an adult? Is it when you have to pay for everything and realise few things are worth it, or, is it when you know you have to try a different approach?
Originally known as ‘Laggies‘ in the US, this charming and intermittently insightful romantic comedy offers an amusing study of how it can feel when life feels likes it’s slipping you by. Featuring a likeable lead performance from Keira Knightley as the 28 year old ‘lagging’ behind her peers, the film is based around the idea that there is no fixed time to ‘grow up’. Raising issues of identity, independence and individuality, the film largely succeeds as smart satire and well written pathos.
After visiting her rather conservative and square ex-high-school mates as they plan one of their wedding days, Megan (Knightley) becomes increasingly disturbed by her lack of progress in life. Despite a high level of education, her career prospects have been stifled by a limited ambition. At the start of the film she is working as a sign-board holder for her father’s (Curb Your Enthusiasm’s Jeff Garlin) accountancy firm. She is still in a relationship with her high-school boyfriend (Mark Webber), a sweet natured guy whose proposal coupled with her dad’s seeming infidelity leads her to re-examine her relationships with those around her and her readiness to settle down with her college sweetheart.
After stumbling across the 16 year old Annika (Moretz) and her friends outside a liquor store, Megan is persuaded to buy them all drinks. After all, in her view, it’s payback time for the nights when young adults bought her drinks when she was a kid. The gang head off into the night and get thoroughly merry, leading Megan to have a better time than she’d had all year. Megan and Annika become friends, with the latter offering the former a picture of a more innocent and exciting time of life. She also offers Megan a place to crash to be away from her former, now stiflingly claustrophobic, former life. Once Annika’s witty, intelligent, professional and -more importantly single – lawyer father (a reliably funny Rockwell) appears at the family house, the scene is set for a rom-com that manages to raise genuine laughs without going over into cheesy territory.
As befitting a teen meets young adult comedy there are proms, skateboards and lots of drinking. Occasionally the plot feels as though its lost its way somewhat, but given the subject matter, that’s hardly surprising. The quality of the film comes from its writing and performances which are both sharp, entertaining and refreshingly honest.
Say When is a comedy with its heart in the right place and can represent an enjoyable and – dare I say it – life-affirming trip to the movies. Now, buy me a beer.
Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★
Robert W Monk is a freelance journalist and film writer.
Originally published November 6, 2014. Updated April 13, 2018.
