REVIEW: Family is Key in Madelyn Deutch’s The Year of Spectacular Men
Family is the theme in Madelyn Deutch’s new film, The Year of Spectacular Men. Written by Madelyn and directed by her mother, Lea Thompson, this film follows fresh out of college, Izzy Klein (Madelyn) as she struggles to figure out her next step in life while also dealing with a number of romantic misadventures. Joined on this adventure by her famous sister Sabrina (played by her real-life sis, Zoey) and Sabrina’s boyfriend, Sebastian (Zoey’s real-life former boyfriend, Avan Jogia) Izzy faces the unknown reality of adulthood and the struggles that come
with it.
Madelyn does a wonderful job bringing to life those treacherous days that follow a graduate who doesn’t land a job right out of college. Izzy doesn’t know her place in the world and falls in and out of many jobs throughout the year while also trying to balance a fairly dismal dating life. It is the moments after Izzy is laid off or dumped where the story falls short. Izzy is quick to move on to the next thing without so much of a blink. Sabrina’s misfortune and how she handles it is showcased better than Izzy’s, which is tad disappointing.
This film marked a first for Madelyn, Zoey and Lea. For Madelyn, it’s her first theatrical debut as a screenwriter while for Lea it is the first big-screen film she has directed. For all three, it’s the first time they have worked on a movie together and that is where the strength of the film lies. It is not often you get to see a mother and her daughters acting alongside one another and these three do it effortlessly. There is an undeniable chemistry and comfortability that comes with acting alongside your family. And it it is the scenes between the Madelyn and Zoey that pack the most punch. Madelyn and Zoey play off one another so well, especially when they are delivering their sisterly advice, that it is hard to not feel included in their bond.
The Year of Spectacular Men is a decent Summer watch. There are a few missing plot pieces and a few storylines that could have been left out, but, all in all, the film is worth watching if you have a little time on your hands.
Grade: B-