Preoccupied

Preoccupied is a captivating 2014 independent, political comedy-drama film that skyrockets its audiences into the heart of Wall Street. Directed by Brendan Gibbons and featuring remarkable performances by Jason Selvig, Davram Stiefler, and John Anderson, the movie perfectly fuses hilarity with hard-hitting social commentary.

The film is an engaging narrative that follows two clueless, yet highly determined, New York City-based bloggers, played by Jason Selvig and Davram Stiefler. As they strive to make sense of the world around them, they find themselves uniquely positioned amidst the high-stakes tensions generated by the 2011 Occupy Wall Street movement. As the city experiences increased socio-economic strife and people rise against the financial system, the duo's comedic journey evolves in surprising ways.

The movie takes its audience on a roller-coaster ride as these seemingly oblivious bloggers navigate and explore the realm of political activism, without entirely comprehending the larger significance of the historical moment they're caught in. Their singular goal — to get their blog featured on primetime television — becomes a reflective commentary on media's role in societal narratives.

John Anderson plays a high-powered and slick Wall Street executive, who intrinsically represents the established world of wealth and power. The contrast between him and the two endearing bloggers enhances the social dynamics central to the film's theme. This discrepancy between the world of Wall Street and regular individuals is portrayed subtly, highlighting class disparities and the impact of economic policies on an everyday person's life.

Although billed as a comedy, Preoccupied uses humor to bring forth critical, socio-political issues. The film paints a picture of two distinct worlds cohabitating within a city - the untouchable, high-stake world of Wall Street and the strikingly different struggles of regular individuals. This contrast cleverly amplifies the divide exacerbated by matters related to wealth distribution and resource allocation.

The humor is intelligent and situational, often rooted in the characters' obliviousness and their earnest attempts to usher in significant changes in their own naive ways. Jason Selvig and Davram Stiefler embody their characters with a charming mix of innocence, sincerity and wit, curating a comedic chemistry that ultimately elevates the film's appeal.

John Anderson, on the other hand, infuses his character with a slick, corporate vibe that stands at odds with the world inhabited by the blogger duo. His performance convincingly mirrors the aloofness and disconnect between Wall Street and the layman. Each character in the film represents a different segment of society, and through their interactions, the story unravels the depth of socio-economic disagreements that were the key issues of the Occupy Wall Street movement.

Preoccupied also brilliantly makes use of its New York City backdrop, incorporating various iconic locations that will be familiar to those in tune with the city's topography. The film captures the bustle of the city, the passion of the protests, and the silent fortitude of Wall Street, creating a vivid visual commentary that wraps itself around the narrative.

Despite its comedic scaffolding, the movie asks profound questions about capitalist society and its inequitable impact on different strata of the population. Throughout the movie, the audience is invited to grapple with these issues through a lens of humor and light-heartedness, making it a powerful tool for encouraging dialogue and thought.

Preoccupied is an audacious film that takes a humorous and critical look at the impact of the Occupy Wall Street movement on everyday people, seen through the eyes of two well-intentioned yet bumbling bloggers. This is a cinematic treat that effortlessly combines laugh-out-loud moments, empathetic characters, and deep social commentary, making it an enjoyable watch for any film enthusiast who enjoys a good dose of humor with their socio-political discourse. Its topical, timely dialogues and complex characters offer audience members a unique and thought-provoking cinematic experience.