Whether it comes as a surprise is open to debate, but when examining the promotional material for a movie called “Sour Party,” the credit of Steven Soderbergh as “presenter” might, at minimum, capture your attention. That discovery alone may be enough to warrant at least a cursory viewing. Whether such a film sits comfortably alongside Soderbergh’s other work remains subjective, to say the least. Though directorial duties belong to The Drextons, Amanda Drexton and Michael A. Drexton, it could nonetheless be seen as a left-field entry nestled within Soderbergh’s filmography. But is that necessarily a bad thing?
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The film largely takes place over the course of an afternoon, as 30-something best friends Gwen (Samantha Westervelt) and James (Drexton) embark on a gonzo jaunt around Los Angeles in pursuit of the funds needed to purchase the perfect gift for Gwen’s sister’s baby shower, which is also taking place later that day. Both women carry their own emotional baggage, which they gradually unpack as the narrative takes them from one bizarre character to the next while they pursue any lead that might earn them a dollar or three.
There’s a failed independent filmmaker who has been secretly selling DVDs of an oddball movie in which James once starred, a cult seemingly run by a character played by none other than Corey Feldman, and a woman who may possess the most eyebrow-raising superpower ever witnessed. The latter hires the women for a private show after discovering an intentionally misleading video they posted on a risqué online platform. These are only a few of their misadventures, all strung together by two women who are usually arguing as they attempt to maintain some level of dignity, even as they’re unable to afford gas and can’t help feeling stuck in a moment that seems to have lasted for years. It’s something to which many can undoubtedly relate.
Fortunately, even as every verbal disagreement quickly escalates into near-mania, the humor consistently lands, including in scenes where more traditional jokes might not be readily apparent. There’s a competing sensation that makes it difficult to tell whether everyone onscreen is working to wrangle the script into place or whether the script is, in reality, helping them find their way to the finish line.
It’s a cast that, from the two leads outward, gives 100%, even as they find themselves housed within a story that, when the credits roll, is essentially about little more than a brief period in the lives of two people, their respective problems, and the ill-advised ways they attempt to resolve them. Every supporting character possesses a distinct level of charm, making the most of their scenes with Westervelt and Drexton. The film also moves at an appropriate clip, aided by the dialogue and the skill of everyone delivering it.
On the other hand, whether during another character-shaping fight or as the pair’s various encounters become progressively heavier, “Sour Party” repeatedly approaches the edge of genuine emotion. This is especially true during a third-act meeting with Gwen’s former boss (Christopher Marquette), in which Gwen appears, for a moment, capable of moving beyond her freeloading lifestyle. Her earlier pursuit of money is reframed, and her underlying motivation comes into question.
It’s a good moment, even if it leads to yet another argument. Still, whenever such quarrels threaten to become tiresome, the skill of the two actresses at the film’s center keeps the journey compelling.
It’s difficult to determine exactly which audience the film has in mind. Fans of zany comedy, perhaps? With its frequently energetic soundtrack and occasional offbeat imagery, used sparingly enough to know when to pull back, the film ends almost as quickly as it begins. That is both a good and a bad thing for anyone wondering how life might work out for these two in the long run.
Although a sequel may not be on the horizon, if you’re left wondering what comes next for Gwen and James, there’s no question that the party that is “Sour Party” has succeeded. [A-]
Brian Farvour is a film/television critic and entertainment journalist whose work has also appeared on Fandomwire. He previously co-hosted The Playlist Podcast.
