SXSW Film Review: Pretty Problems

All rich people are weird, but really rich people are really weird. That's the working thesis of Pretty Problems, a fish-out-of-water tale featuring a pair of normies who find themselves surrounded by too much of everything over a long, wine-country weekend.

Lindsay (Britt Rentschler) and Jack (Michael Tennant) find themselves in pretty underwhelming circumstances. Instead of designing fashion, she's selling it. He was a lawyer, but an anger-management incident put the kibosh on that in favor of probation and a crappy sales job. When Cat (J.J. Nolan) comes into the picture, things start to change. She invites them for a weekend at the outrageous manse she shares with hubby Matt (Graham Outerbridge). The third unit keeps things interesting throughout, as Kerry and Carrie (Alex Klein and Charlotte Ubben) play the role of beautiful, rich clowns with plenty of issues: daddy, drinking, or otherwise.

This is 1% country, complete with thoughtful gift bags and smiling servants. Jack couldn't feel more out of place but goes along to get along. Lindsay is hoping to shake things up, and that’s exactly what the haves in the equation have in mind. The weekend features lots of drinking, drama, yoga, and more. There's even a ghost from Lindsay's past which threatens to undo the bonds the two have built.

Jack and Lindsay are constantly reminded of just how well off they aren't, but there are carrots dangled in front of them that this could all change if they'd embrace the insanity that comes from having no responsibility in the face of enormous privilege. Ultimately, they have to decide who they truly are and what kind of life they want to live. No easy feat with the allure of that promised life right there at the tips of their fingers.

Pretty Problems works because the crazies are fun and the newbies are sincere. The audience gets to revel in the fun while still feeling for all those involved, even the empty lives overflowing with abundance.

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Pretty Problems

Narrative Spotlight, World Premiere
Wednesday, March 16, 3:30pm, 4pm, Violet Crown
Online: March 15, 9am-March 17, 9am