Appiness
is
a strange beast. Equal parts social satire, (hilariously) bizarre
rom-com, and a heartwarming story about following your dreams, this is one of
the first unique offerings of the year. Mixing awkward performances,
vibrant cinematography, and an unexpected retread of familiar waters, this is
an above bar comedic experience.
Recently
laid off Eric runs into an old high school acquaintance Raj and the pair
hatch a scheme to develop the next "It" thing in social media
apps. What follows is an embarrassingly funny journey of friendship,
love, and self discovery. Eli Batalion, wrote, directed, and stars as
Eric. It's easy to dismiss this as yet another low budget throwaway due
to the production values and disjointed script, however, underneath the
imperfections lies a surprisingly charming story about a generation in
disinterest. Eric and Raj (Varun Saranga) are symbols, Eric the quiet,
social outcast and Raj is (initially) an amalgam of every Aziz Anzari
performance from the last decade.
However, as the story evolves, each of the principals is given a chance not only to reveal their true natures, but also to embrace the playful madness of Batalion’s electronic kingdom. It also becomes clear that the art direction and cinematography’s “cardboard candyland” ambiance is with intent, mirroring a world of Facebook tribes and Instagram Monarchs. Saranga and Batalion’s chemistry is the film's centerpiece, as the two attempt to achieve "fame", something they don't truly understand. Rounding out the cast is Amber Goldfarb as Jeanine. One of the best surprises of Appiness is in how it leans heavy into rom-com tropes and then avoids them like the plague and Goldfarb's performance is perhaps the best part of this realization. The end result of a trio of solid performances that anchors the film.
However, as the story evolves, each of the principals is given a chance not only to reveal their true natures, but also to embrace the playful madness of Batalion’s electronic kingdom. It also becomes clear that the art direction and cinematography’s “cardboard candyland” ambiance is with intent, mirroring a world of Facebook tribes and Instagram Monarchs. Saranga and Batalion’s chemistry is the film's centerpiece, as the two attempt to achieve "fame", something they don't truly understand. Rounding out the cast is Amber Goldfarb as Jeanine. One of the best surprises of Appiness is in how it leans heavy into rom-com tropes and then avoids them like the plague and Goldfarb's performance is perhaps the best part of this realization. The end result of a trio of solid performances that anchors the film.
One
thing that becomes apparent within seconds is that this isn't a mean-spirited
venture. A lot of comedies of this type attempt to satirize through edginess or
even over the top antics. Appiness is a reflection of 2020, a
snapshot of the day to day struggle. The difference is that Eric and his
coven of tecno-magicians have no idea what they want, only a socially
fabricated form of success, and it is this truth that elevates the picture over
the throngs of forgettable micro comedies. While its flaws almost
threaten to crack the veneer, there is a charm that runs through it, an
unmistakable signature of its creator's love for the world around
us.
Now
available for digital streaming, Appiness is the perfect choice for a
Friday night stay at home date. It's not groundbreaking or world
changing, it is however, very funny whenever it stops trying to be.
Underneath tech jargon and flashy dialogue is a story about connection and the beauty
of embracing one’s flaws and talents. While it is most certainly a mixed
bag of strange stereotypes and scathing takedowns of our technology obsessed
society, it is a clear signal that Batalion and his troupe are dedicated to
their craft.
--Kyle
Jonathan