Sell By

By: Sam Frost

Sell By is a choppy glimpse into the lives of a friend group that follows multiple storylines. There’s couple Adam (Scott Evans) and Marklin (Agustus Prew), their friend Cammy (Michelle Buteau) and her friend Haley (Zoe Chao) and Adam’s best friend Elizabeth (Kate Walsh). While Adam and Marklin seem to be the main characters, every person seems equally built into the story. Each storyline is deeply flawed in some way, but love and acceptance are ever-present in this film.

Adam is a painter struggling to make ends meet by working for a famous artist and recreating pieces for her to sign off as her own and Marklin has newly found success in the men’s fashion world. The imbalance of financial success causes strains in their relationship. At the same time Cammy finds out the man she’s been seeing is homeless Elizabeth finds out her husband is cheating on her. For Hayley, one of her high school students professes his love for her.

While it could have been easy for characters to get lost in the crowd, each one feels dynamic and like their story has at least been thought out, if not fully fleshed out. There are places where the narrative feels a little lacking, like a meeting between Adam and his alcoholic father who’s never brought back up, but these instances seemed to mirror real life and the ways in which different pieces of stories pop up at different times.

Writer and director Mike Doyle did a great job of spacing the scenes out and creating what felt like an equal opportunity for each storyline. The transitions were sometimes jarring, but they felt pointed and pre-meditated. Each storyline is extremely unique to the specific character it’s about, but there are reoccurring themes in each one that create a fluidity between scenes.

Sell By emphasizes the importance of a clean slate and seems to prove that willingness to forgive can change everything. Each character is given a second chance in some way and it’s a reminder that people screw up. Secrets are kept. Feelings are hurt. However, looking past these things and seeing the person behind the mistake can lead to beautiful endings. Don’t miss this friendly adventure!