Comedian and actress Noël Wells known for her role in “Master of None” and a previous cast member on Saturday Night Live premiered her film “Mr. Roosevelt” at SXSW this year.
The indie comedy stars Noël Wells as a struggling 20-something year old named Emily who moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in show business. When a loved one falls sick, she returns to her college town of Austin, Texas and connects with her ex-boyfriend played by Nick Thune and his “perfect” and intimidating new girlfriend Celeste played by Britt Lower. Low on funds and financially stuck in Texas for the weekend, Emily stays with the couple at the home she previously called her own to only find out it’s been remodeled with her remaining belongings, boxed in a shed out back.
As Emily attempts to set foot in the city she left behind not so long ago she finds companionship from a local badass waitress named Jen (Daniella Pineda) who tries to keep her from spiraling out of control as she goes neck and neck with her ex-boyfriend’s new girlfriend. Unlike Celeste, Jen the polar opposite- an unpretentious free spirit draws outside the lines and is a drummer in a band and goes topless when she swims at local Barton Springs in Austin, Texas. It is through Jen’s guidance that Emily is able to finally see how her own issues and obstacles within herself hold her back.
By the end of film, the protagonist comes to the realization that life she had in Austin is no longer and that her time spent in LA wasn’t a total f— up. There is a scene in the end when all three women embrace – Emily, Celeste and Jen and we see as the audience we shouldn’t pre-judge others and that being realistic about your future doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your passion.
