Alexander the Last is the fifth film, in as many years, brought to us by mumblecore director, Joe Swanberg. The film centers around issues of commitment, particularly those experienced by creative artists, as its twenty-something characters struggle with fidelity in a seemingly perpetual state of adolescence.
Alexander the Last opens on two sisters sitting in a verdant, sunbathed park, gazing intensely into eachother's eyes as they exchange mock wedding vows. The sisters, Alex and Helen, share an extremely close bond, but of course, are playing at commitment, setting the stage for the ensuing drama. Helen (played by Amy Seimtz) is a single photographer with some on-off again relationships, and Alex (Jess Weixler) is an actress married to a musician. While her husband, Elliot, is on tour, Alex is cast in a new play next to beefcake romantic co-lead, Jamie, who conveniently is in need of a place to crash. Alex offers up her couch, escalating the flirtation and tension between she and Jamie; one which she unsuccessfully attempts to deflect (responsibility for) by throwing Jamie together with her sister. Elliot returns home to the entire muddled mess with his own questionable distraction in the form of a cute bandmate.
Alexander the Last started out strong, electric, and following a cohesive narrative arc. My favorite role was played by Jane Adams, as the play's stage director; all her appearances were hilarious. The film's center of gravity and most enjoyable scenes are provided by the relationship between the sisters rather than Alex's marriage. However, after Elliot reenters the scene and the focus becomes Alex's struggle back toward fidelity, the film's momentum peters out, the edits are too long, and the energy plateaus.
The premiere of Alexander the Last was packed saturday night at the Paramount. During the question and answer session following the film, Swanberg commented that "as creative artists, you can't always be fully committed to your personal relationships and your art at the same time". There is certainly a degree of fluctuating compromise necessary... that doesn't mean you have to offer up your couch.
Overall, I wouldn't advise going out of your way to see Alexander the Last during the festival. Unless of course, you are crazy for mumblecore.
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