Mutual Appreciation

An instant critic’s darling upon its release in 2006, Mutual Appreciation is both utterly timeless and a distinctly mid-aughts portrait of the ebb and flow of 20-something life in New York City. Richly observed and deeply humanist, the film follows Alan (Justin Rice), an aspiring musician, who crash-lands in town following the breakup of his band in Boston. He immediately takes up with his old friends Ellie (Rachel Clift) and Lawrence (writer-director Andrew Bujalski), while negotiating the affections of a local radio DJ (Seung-Min Lee). In the tradition of Éric Rohmer, John Cassavetes, and Jacques Rivette, Bujalski crafts a deft yet unassuming generational statement that finds its inspiration less in plot than in sharply drawn relationships and captivating conversations. Lovingly lensed in intimate 16mm black & white film, Mutual Appreciation is a generous and witty ode to the friendships that hallmark our awkward and enthralling post-collegiate years.