Easier With Practice Movie Review

A quiet, sensitive film that deftly balances comedy and drama, "Easier With Practice" basically typifies all that is good about 21st century American indie cinema. The debut movie from writer/director Kyle Patrick Alvarez exudes the loose spirit of a first time effort, but also contains the kind of patience filmmakers usually need a few films to develop. Alvarez displays unmistakable trust in his material, resulting in an exceptional payoff from such a simple concept.

Based on Found Magazine creator Davy Rothbart's autobiographical article, originally published in GQ, "Easier With Practice" follows the lonely existence of Davy Mitchell (Brian Geraghty). Davy, a struggling, nebbish 28-year-old writer (and office temp), is traveling the U.S. on a book tour that's considerably less glamorous than it may sound. With his wiseass brother Sean (Kel O'Neill) in tow, Davy goes from bookstore to bar to college campus to motel in an old clunker of a car.

On a stop in New Mexico, Davy receives a random phone call in his motel room. On the other end of the line is Nicole, an alluring voice who quickly dispenses with idle chit chat and easily talks Davy into spontaneous phone sex. From that casual act begins an unusual relationship, as the intimate nature of Davy and Nicole's conversations wades into dangerous waters when it grows to encompass actual emotions. Nicole rebuffs Davy's invitations to meet in person, citing her boyfriend as an obstacle, but by then the young writer has completely fallen for the mysterious woman.

Davy isn't a conventional protagonist, awkward and not always likeable, but he's able to elicit audience sympathy. Contrasting this modest character with his obnoxious brother definitely helps give viewers a rooting interest in Davy, though his flaws are always presented front and center. His biggest gaffe occurs when a made-to-order rekindling with Samantha (Marguerite Moreau), an attractive woman from his past, spectacularly implodes.

Brian Geraghty ("The Hurt Locker") sinks deep into the uncomfortable, socially challenged Davy, in a performance that -- though it's in a much different context -- reminds me of Ethan Hawke in "Before the Devil Knows You're Dead." While Davy keeps an outward emotional guard up, Geraghty convincingly conveys the man's alienation and muted pain, especially in the wrenching final scene. The director gets strong performances from everyone on screen.

Alvarez mixes up his shots nicely, though the emphasis is on longer takes, which allows his actors to shine. Shot on a RED camera, the digital images are nicely composed with a good amount of breathing room in the frames. The overall atmosphere is subdued, but it isn't by any means a slow film. In fact, perhaps the movie's biggest strength is how much it involves the viewer early on and manages to sustain that level of interest throughout.

It's an understatement to simply call "Easier With Practice" an auspicious debut. Alvarez shows an impressive level of skill and craftsmanship that's on par with far more experienced filmmakers.

(Screened at AFI Fest 2009)