Plus One

By: Ashlee Dell’Arciprete

Romantic comedies have seen their rise in the last year or so, from mainstream studios to streaming platforms, and with several upcoming anticipated sequels such as Crazy Rich Asians and To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, they are here to stay.  Plus One, which was directed and written by “Pen15” writers Jeff Chan and Andrew Rhymer and executive produced Ben Stiller, held its World Premiere at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival recently. The film asks a simple question: can men and women really ever be just friends? Plus One centers around two best friends and a summer full of weddings and succeeds in its ability to revamp the standard rom-com formula into a loveable indie film.

Plus One opens with a montage of wedding toasts. Then, the movie transitions to Ben (Jack Quaid) who is practicing his speech for his friend’s upcoming wedding in front of his best friend Alice (Maya Erskine) while at the wedding of their friends Matt (SNL’s Beck Bennett) and Amanda (Jessy Hodges). At the wedding Alice gets a bit too drunk and reveals to Ben when they get back to their hotel room that her younger sister is getting married before her. She proposes a pact to be each other’s plus one for the summer as it is all booked up with weddings so that they can combat the “love marathon” together. Ben is reluctant initially, but agrees later on that night. All summer long, and wedding by wedding, Alice and Ben spend a lot of time together and eventually develop feelings for each other – whether or not they want to admit it.

Maya Erskine and Jack Quaid translate to screen well and you will find yourself rooting for the lovable chemistry that their characters Alice and Ben have. Maya had her breakout mainstream role in Hulu series “Pen15” and she shows her great comedic timing in this role as well. The humor comes across as quite authentic and it is clear that Maya and Jack were given the freedom to improv. Jack Quaid is also able to stand alone as the male love interest lead. However, as the son of Meg Ryan and Dennis Quaid, it’s not surprising. A few of Maya’s other “Pen15” costars are in the film as well, including her best friend on and off screen, Anna Konkle, as well as Jessy Hodges.

Directors and writers Jeff Chan and Andrew Rhymer were able to get a lot out of their script while being a low budget indie film. Creating an end that the plus one wedding tag along would only last for a summer gave the film the ability to be spaced out nicely and keep an even tone and pacing. The script keeps you laughing and the direction keeps you interested in Ben and Alice’s journey of conquering the “love marathon.”

27 Dresses walked so that Plus One could run. It may even jump to the top of the list of top wedding rom-com. It’s no surprise that Plus One was instantly well-received by audiences at Tribeca. The film even won the Narrative Audience Award at the film festival, which is voted on by the audience after each film in the nominated category is screened, and awards the winner of best narrative film with a $10,000 cash prize. The film still follows the rom-com formula, as you know that Ben and Alice will eventually get together, but in a fresh and enjoyable way. They go from having zero interest at all and even trying to scout out girls and guys for the other to starting to date.

Plus One was acquired by RLJE Films for US distribution rights and will have a limited release in theaters this summer.