Dustin Guy Defa’s “Person to Person” is an arrestingly charming sophomore attempt that harkens back to the filmic aura of the ’70s and early ’80s
There’s a certain delight with being swept in a film’s diegetic world. It’s a magical moment in which one forgets the auditorium, the people surrounding them. For an instant, these special films allow you to live and breathe in its world, coming together in a wondrous cinematic coalescence of stylization, characterization and narrative. These are the kinds of pictures that make you forget you’re watching one, and allow you to dive in and appreciate it for all it makes itself out to be. Dustin Guy Defa’s quirkily funny “Person to Person” most certainly achieves that.
Dustin Guy Defa’s newest film is one that is evocative of Robert Altman’s back-to-back features “The Player” and “Short Cuts.” With multiple storylines that intertwine. Altman allows his films to meander around, finding its direction in a patiently satisfying manner creating a mishmash of occurrences, plots and profound moments. Defa on the other hand focalizes his in a singular chaotic day, all to a similarly fulfilling way.
Based on the director’s short film of the same name, “Person to Person” tells the stories an eclectic myriad of characters that we follow through the day. Crisscrossing between the vinyl hunting Bene (Bene Coopersmith), the witfully angsty Wendy (Tavi Gevinson), the languid watch repairman (Philip Baker Hall), the timidly sweet Claire (Abbi Jacobson) and her speed metal, bizarre boss Phil (Michael Cera), it’s a feat all of its own that Defa was able to fit so many characters in such a short amount of time. But having honed his craft from his short film work, it’s no surprise that the writer/director is able to flush out each one of them, seldom neglecting any which one to a unnerving degree.
“Person to Person” is a strange film in that it relishes in its eccentricities–which it expertly pulls off. While the film can be misconstrued as a hackneyed affirmation of hipsterdom, it is anything but. Instead, the picture seems to be anachronistically reminiscing of the affable big city comedies of the the New Hollywood era as well as the early 1980s. With stylistic tinges of “Goodbye Girl,” “Annie Hall,” “Kramer vs. Kramer” and “Tootsie,” Defa’s picture seems to be a nostalgic memory left by Richard Dreyfuss, Dustin Hoffman and Woody Allen. Even the actors seem to be transports from a bygone era–they obsess over jazz records, have small watch repair shops, use rotary phones and nihilistically wander the city in an state of ennui.
While some could dismiss the film on face-value due to its perceptually derivative indie plot, dialogue and character developments, that is most certainly not the case for Mr. Defa’s newest film. From the beautifully grainy and fitting 35mm camera work to the delicately deliberate music choices, “Person to Person” is a masterful work from the nascent director. Having had a string of short films receive critical acclaimed, it seems the Salt Lake City native was ready to dive into feature films yet again after a 6 year break from full length work. Signaling his return with this endearing comedy, the adept writing and direction from Mr. Defa all but confirms the introduction of a new bonafide independent filmmaker.
Thanks to the skillfully talented work from almost all of the actors, the film seldom loses its focus or direction–even when the plot seems to be begging for it. With a wonderfully charming old-school sensibility in newcomer Bene Coopersmith and the typically masterful work from Philip Baker Hall, the picture rarely seems to miss a beat save. And as one can expect, the comedic duo of Cera and Jacobson shine in their moments, coming off a refreshingly grounded portrayal that does not allow itself to become a cliched hipster mumblecore relationship.
Perhaps some of that acting prowess is due to the idiosyncratic humor of Defa’s tightly-packed screenplay. It’s a script that gives itself the freedom to appreciate its own quasi-witty philosophies, all while not taking itself too seriously–a quality that saves it from becoming boring and uninspired. Coupled with the Mr. Defa’s competent direction, “Person to Person” is a touchingly sweet ode to New York that makes one eagerly wait for the writer/director’s next feature.
It comes as no surprise that Magnolia Pictures has picked up the film for distribution. And with the film slated to be released sometime this year, its encouraging to know that more individuals will have the opportunity to dive into this charmingly small New York world and undoubtedly become fans of this up-and-coming indie filmmaker.
“Person to Person” was screened as part of the New Directors/New Films festival. It is slated to be commercially released sometime this year.
