I've watched this movie several times, and it's difficult to describe it without pigeonholing it as something it's not.
I'd classify it as romantic comedy or dramedy, however it is not some Meg Ryan, feel-good, bullshit.
The Boy Downstairs is an indie love story, which means the type of mainstream cliches are nowhere to be found. In fact, I'd say this is the most honest movie about a break up I have ever seen, where moments of comedy are also included.
I'm a huge fan of Woody Allen, and this feels every bit like one of his better movies about love, and loss.
The story is simple enough: Diana and Ben are a couple. We get to see the arc of their relationship in flashbacks, all while Diana has to handle living in the same building as her former boyfriend - directly above him, as the title suggests.
I can't stress enough how, in less capable hands, this movie would be corny trash.
So much depth is poured into the ninety-minute runtime. We are given fully fleshed-out characters in Diana, and Ben. Hell, even Diana's friend, Gabby, gets a B story. Amy, Diana's landlord, gets a backstory. There is no fat on this film. Every stitch of it feels real.
Yes, it’s a love story, but it’s a reminder that part of love is heartbreak. Yes, it’s a comedy, but it’s also heart wrenching.
I want to say this, as well: this is not a fun couples movie. If you are in a relationship, this is not going to be the right choice. This is the movie you watch after a relationship has ended.
I doubt I need to mention it, but the production is great, the acting, the editing, everything. I love this movie.
Zosia Mamet is adorable, in such an I'm-cute-and-I'm-not-even-trying kind of way.
I look forward to more films from Sophie Brooks.
Perfectly enjoyable romantic comedy drama. I don't usually buy into relationship movies, but the two leads were engaging enough to make me care about what happened to them.
Shout by IHateBadMovies.comVIP 8BlockedParent2023-09-13T15:33:34Z
This movie really snuck up on me as I didn't see it coming. Through the first third of the movie, I had kind of dismissed it as an indie version of a Hallmark movie. A little further into the movie I thought it was derivative of the fabulous Blue Valentine. Not long after that, I stopped trying to categorize it and just started to enjoy it. The result is absolutely fantastic. The depth of the characters, the acting, the script - all are fantastic. I have seen Zosia Mamet in a few projects and thought she was good - I had no idea that she had these kinds of chops. The secondary characters are also fantastic. I thoroughly enjoyed this film.
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