Person to Person

Person to Person is an infectiously amiable, character-driven cinematic gem of a film that premiered in 2017. The narrative's episodic character sketches invigoratingly unravels over the course of a single day in New York City. Directed by Dustin Guy Defa, known for works like Bad Fever and Family Nightmare, Person to Person exemplifies his penchant for empathetic, complex, and raw human stories.

The movie's ensemble cast, including Abbi Jacobson, Michael Cera, Tavi Gevinson, and an assortment of notable actors like Bene Coopersmith, George Sample III, Philip Baker Hall, and Isiah Whitlock Jr., breathes life into the vividly sketched characters. Person to Person shines for its diverse and eclectic set of characters, each with a unique, engaging narrative to offer.

Abbi Jacobson features as Claire, a rookie investigative reporter of a local tabloid, who is facing her first day on the job with much trepidation. Claire is reluctantly accompanied by her overly enthusiastic and rather audacious boss, Phil, played by Michael Cera, who is eager to break a potential murder case. Their awkward and often tense dynamic adds a touch of comic relief to the otherwise serious investigative undertone of their storyline.

Another story follows Bene (played by Bene Coopersmith), a passionate record collector and dealer based in Brooklyn, who becomes embroiled in an adventurous pursuit after a rare Charlie Parker vinyl record. This eccentric character's love for vinyl records symbolizes his longing for authenticity in a rapidly changing world.

One of the other narratives unfolds around high schooler Wendy (played by Tavi Gevinson), who struggles to navigate her way around a sea of high school dramas, friendships, and emerging relationship troubles. Wendy grapples with her fear of growing up and the complexities of teenage life, lending an intriguing and emotive angle to the film.

As the dialogues flow effortlessly, their stories are delicately woven together, creating a rich tapestry of human relationships and everyday adventures. The characters cross paths, painting a vibrant picture of urban life with its missteps, misunderstandings, and unexpected intersections. Together, these sharply drawn vignettes combine to present a deeply humanistic view of life in the bustling metropolis of New York.

Set against the backdrop of New York City, Person to Person spotlights the charismatic charm of the city. The cinematographer, Ashley Connor, beautifully captures the essence of the city, cinematically manifesting its pace, vitality, and rhythm.

The film is imbued with a vibe of nostalgia, accentuated by an exquisite yet understated jazz score. The music resonates with the characters' moods and emotions, making the cityscape pulse with life. This classic motif infused into the film's storyline and aesthetics helps Person to Person establish a nostalgic mood while setting it in the present day.

Defa's skill in writing realistically awkward and heartfelt dialogues coupled with an aspect ratio that recalls 70s cinema immerses the audience in the intricacies of everyday human drama. His emphasis on minor details, from capturing the lingo of adolescent angst to a vinyl connoisseur's passionate soliloquies on music, adds richness to the narrative.

To conclude, Person to Person is a thoughtful ode to the human experience in an urban setting. It vividly captures a day in the life of a variety of characters, each with their distinct narratives and challenges, painting an intimate portrait of life in New York. What sets the film apart is its graceful embrace of the ordinary, the trivial, and the routine incidents that cumulatively make up life itself.

It's a movie where life happens, and all sorts of different lives at that! Overwhelmed with an eclectic mix of absorbing narratives centered around a murder mystery, a possibly counterfeit rare vinyl record, and the adolescent turbulence of high school, the film morphs into a relatable, slice-of-life narrative packed with organic humor, emotional resonance, and beautiful authenticity.

Inhabited by real people confronting everyday challenges, Person to Person is a must-watch film that explores the nuances of human interactions, personal dilemmas, and the quirks and idiosyncrasies that make us who we are, providing a heartwarming and enthralling movie experience.