At the movies with James Delson

Lola Versus - See it for Gerwig

Posted Wednesday, June 13, 2012 6:16 pm

by James Delson

***
Running time: 87 minutes

Lola Versus is an otherwise unremarkable film which is lifted to a higher level of entertainment due to the riveting central performance of Greta Gerwig. Her smart, touching, self-revelatory portrayal is one of the year's best, but it doesn't manage to save the film from being just another late 20's-something angst-opera.

Gerwig plays a graduate student whose personal life is in chaos. Despite the best efforts of her friends and family, played smoothly by Hamish Linklater, Zoe Lister Jones, Bill Pullman and Debra Winger, she’s overcome with doubt, confused by being alone and tentative in taking steps towards self-reliance.

You know, plot 17b in the indie lexicon. Director/writer Daryl Wein struggles unsuccessfully to breathe life into his film, but only Gerwig’s glowing screen presence redeems it. Save this for its pay cable run. Gerwig, one of the best young actresses working today, deserves better material.

MPAA rating: R for language, sexuality and drug use

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