Phoenix, Oregon

Phoenix, Oregon is a 2019 dramedy—a fusion of drama and comedy—that delves into the lives of two middle-aged men traversing through the labyrinth of midlife crisis, albeit with a twinge of comic relief. Directed by Gary Lundgren, the ensemble cast includes James Le Gros, Jesse Borrego, and Lisa Edelstein.

The movie is centered around Bobby (James Le Gros) and Carlos (Jesse Borrego). Bobby, a disoriented, flustered middle-aged comic artist, has come far from his younger, promising days. He is stagnating in a seemingly dreary job as a bartender, albeit a meticulous and talented one, at a local bowling alley with a boss who, by almost all standards, is insufferable.

Carlos, Bobby's long-time friend, is a school-teacher by the day and an amateur but passionate gourmet cook struggling with his cuisines during his time off. Despite their seemingly clear contrasting characters, they resonate with each other on a basic fundamental level—a desperate need for an adventure or even a stimulating challenge.

The movie kicks off with Cassie (Lisa Edelstein), a semi-professional poker player, entering the bowling alley. The spark between Bobby and Cassie serves as a catalyst, prompting Bobby to confront the stagnancy that his life has become. Cassie's character is indomitably joyful, full of life and laughter, and exudes energy. Her entry ignites the laid-back life of Bobby.

Finding themselves sick and tired of their dull grind, Bobby and Carlos make a seemingly impulsive decision to reclaim their glory days. The duo decides to go all in towards refurbishing an old, decrepit bowling alley in their town (Phoenix, Oregon). This isn't merely about entrepreneurship, as Carlos finds an opportunity to display his culinary skills there. Also, the comic artist in Bobby sees this as an escape into his creative world.

Phoenix, Oregon reflects a beautiful exploration of midlife crisis with dark humor, looking into the adventures and misadventures of the protagonists. Here, you will find yourself laughing at the common comic reliefs but also resonate with the narrative's undertones of disappointment, unfulfilled dreams, and the courage to refuel life's engines.

Lisa Edelstein's character rounds the dichotomy of both male leads quite satisfyingly, while Dietmar (Kevin Corrigan) brings an amusingly unique storyline as an enigmatic but handy repairman. Amidst all these, Phoenix, Oregon manages to uphold the essence of life's tiny joys over grandeur, the charm of the ordinary in the extraordinary, vintage thrills, bowling alleys, and an old but golden comic strip.

There’s also a parallel plot that accentuates the quirky environment of this movie - a speculation surrounding the alleged UFO sightings in Phoenix, Oregon. The characters seamlessly embed this curiosity right into their everyday lives, just like they do with their hopes, dreams, disappointments and bizarre business plan.

Apart from the mid-life crisis, Phoenix, Oregon also seems like a love letter to the small-town people: their dreams, strange encounters, friendships, and eccentric ways. The movie never loses sight of its spirit and essence, and despite traversing through the saturated genre of celebrated mid-life crisis movies, it manages to carve a niche of its own through its unique take on the subject.

James Le Gros as Bobby successfully breathes life into a tired, aging artist's character. He portrays the subtle sadness underneath the layers of ordinary with a grand sense of realism and poignancy. Jesse Borrego, likewise, effortlessly slips into the shoes of a passionate, unfulfilled cook, and the chemistry with Le Gros on screen is delightful to watch.

Phoenix, Oregon is a cocktail of feels – rejuvenating, humorous, melancholic, nostalgia-driven, and occasionally poignant. Set in the colorful, run-of-the-mill town's backdrop, Phoenix, Oregon makes a robust statement about chasing dreams and unfulfilled passions, even when they come knocking later in life.

In closing, Phoenix, Oregon is a quirky, exuberant celebration of midlife, bursting with eccentric characters, vintage charm, and universal themes of aspiration, ambition, and the courage to dream. It serves a vivid, uniquely-flavored indie space in a world dominated by clichéd mainstream dramas. It may not be your blockbuster movie of the year, but it's got heart, charm, a whole bunch of laughs, and a story that leaves you pondering long after the credits roll.