The Argument

By: Maggie Stankiewicz

The Argument is a movie about an disagreement between a doomed couple who are not emotionally equipped to properly deal with the realities of life as human beings. This independent film was written by Zac Stanford, mostly known for his work in television, and directed by Robert Schwartzman in his third directorial project. From the cast to the crew, The Argument was put together by a group of experienced and promising filmmakers, which is why it comes as such a surprise that this movie is not good. Full of excellent performances, The Argument is what happens when a film’s narrative, and characters, simply lose their way. The Argument is the most frustrating, uncomfortable movie – that just so happens to be released in the most frustrating and uncomfortable year making for an unpleasant viewing experience that I hope to save future audiences from.

This movie is essentially a play that was filmed with a single location that only added to the movie’s claustrophobic atmosphere. It follows an odd couple on the rocks, writer Jack (Dan Fogler) and actress Lisa (Emma Bell), through an argument that breaks out with their friends present. The argument has no conclusion, so the pair do what any insane narcissists would do and decide to have their friends and eventually, actors, reenact their argument until they can determine who is right. Jack and Lisa are played incredibly well by the actors, much to the characters’ detriment, as they are insufferable to watch. Their friends Sarah (Maggie Q), Brett (Danny Pudi), Paul (Tyler James Williams) and Trina (Cleopatra Coleman) are also played flawlessly as victims of Jack and Lisa’s insane charade.

The movie’s other couples, Paul and Trina and Brett and Sarah, are slightly less annoying renditions of doomed relationships, highlighted only by the disaster that is Jack and Lisa. Unfortunately, while well-played, the characters give audiences little to hold onto or enjoy, except for Sarah; the perfect audience insert. Sarah is too mature and, frankly, too busy for the shenanigans going on around her. However, afflicted by a photographic memory, she is unable to escape from the hellscape Brett brought her into. Sarah, like the audience, is not having fun. She hates everyone around her and she wants to leave, but she’s trapped there. This is exactly what watching The Argument feels like. There is a sense of discomfort that comes with watching a couple crumble to pieces. It feels like watching something you shouldn’t be watching, but you can’t get out.

Maybe this is the point of The Argument. The film is successful in depicting people who need to go their separate ways but refuse to – subjecting their loved ones to displays of insecurity and grandeur until they can see the truth…but at what cost? The viewer’s patience. Movies are hard to make, which is why it feels so bad giving this film a mediocre review. It is well-made and it’s even well written, but the story doesn’t have enough meat on its bones to be funny or even pleasant to watch. It’s like eating an overcooked steak. You chew, and chew, and chew for no pay-off. This movie was made by a group of incredibly talented filmmakers and performers who, in this one instance, fail at being entertainers. If you’re looking for a feel-good comedy to lower your blood pressure skip this one, but if you’re looking for a reason to pick a fight with your significant other, this will do the trick.