A story about how two people with nothing to lose meet in unlikely situation. It seems that Hollywood has taken a liking to darker and grim themed films lately, but The Sweet Life has a somewhat lighter and humorous approach. Which, with the sublime acting of Chris Messina and Abigail Spencer makes this movie a great watch. The chemistry the characters they play have on screen is amazing and I could see them being together in real life. The only thing I disliked was the message it was sending about depression and how it could be avoided. But that's just my opinion. You should watch and see it for yourself!
6 Reviews
Slow Paced but Good Movie
gmaddox-7161514 October 2019
2 people on the brink of suicide happen to meet at the Chicago river where one is contemplating jumping. Since they have nothing to lose, the other decides that it would be a good idea to take a road trip to the Golden Gate Bridge instead to end their lives there.
The chemistry is great between the two main characters. Acting is great as well. It's a dry comedy. Was pleasantly surprised to stumble upon due never hearing of it before. Thumbs up.
Two troubled souls follow a chance encounter starting in Chicago and ending in S.F..
TxMike1 September 2017
Warning: Spoilers
My wife and I watched this at home as a Netflix streaming movie. I like the "everyman" persona Messina communicates, in 'Giant Mechanical Man' four years ago I wrote about his character "feeling a bit lost in the world and a bit fed up" with his direction. His character in this movie is not too different.
The two main characters are Chris Messina as Kenny Pantalio and Abigail Spencer as Lolita Nowicki. One evening they meet quite by accident, she is on one of the downtown bridges over the Chicago River when he walks up and leans on the railing. The unspoken idea is that he is contemplating suicide. They don't seem to have much in common, and are pretty much opposite personality types, but they walk together. He is still dressed in his day uniform peddling ice cream from his push cart, white pants, white jacket and bow tie.
As they pass a fancy restaurant a man drives up in an expensive car and hands Kenny the keys, mistaking him for the parking valet. As the stranger goes inside Kenny and Lolita (not her real name we later learn) look at each other, again with an unspoken idea, "Let's take this car and get out of here." She suggests San Francisco and after he cogitates for a while decides to be game about it.
So all that happens at the very beginning to set the stage, neither seems to have anything to lose and they set off with little cash and zero preparation. The movie is really about their road trip, the situations they get into and how they get out of them, eventually getting to S.F.
This is a quirky, inventive smaller movie that works just right for Messina and Spencer as the two misfits that band together. In the end, after barely surviving, they just might be able to help each other navigate a better path through life.
The two main characters are Chris Messina as Kenny Pantalio and Abigail Spencer as Lolita Nowicki. One evening they meet quite by accident, she is on one of the downtown bridges over the Chicago River when he walks up and leans on the railing. The unspoken idea is that he is contemplating suicide. They don't seem to have much in common, and are pretty much opposite personality types, but they walk together. He is still dressed in his day uniform peddling ice cream from his push cart, white pants, white jacket and bow tie.
As they pass a fancy restaurant a man drives up in an expensive car and hands Kenny the keys, mistaking him for the parking valet. As the stranger goes inside Kenny and Lolita (not her real name we later learn) look at each other, again with an unspoken idea, "Let's take this car and get out of here." She suggests San Francisco and after he cogitates for a while decides to be game about it.
So all that happens at the very beginning to set the stage, neither seems to have anything to lose and they set off with little cash and zero preparation. The movie is really about their road trip, the situations they get into and how they get out of them, eventually getting to S.F.
This is a quirky, inventive smaller movie that works just right for Messina and Spencer as the two misfits that band together. In the end, after barely surviving, they just might be able to help each other navigate a better path through life.
A bad idea
sjanders-864309 January 2021
Chris Messina and Abigail Spencer are magicians able to perform a stupendous feat by giving The Sweet Life depth not destruction. The inability to solve their individual sorrows dissolves with joint mobility westward; the Golden Gate Bridge where they will jump together. Of course the acting ability of Messina and Spenser is the sole reason this absurd plot works. Without their visible connection, especially in the hotel, there would be no film. He cuts her hair so carefully. Their intimacy is their cure. They will be together on this earth for sure.
Having lived in the Bay Area I can say that young people we knew did jump off the Golden Gate Bridge. Wonderful young people face terrible problems, and a plot like this minimizes the horrific reality of someone jumping. It is a horrible idea. One false move on that bridge, and they would be gone. I think the movie should be banned.
A great movie that keeps you hooked
ComedyFan20106 December 2017
Warning: Spoilers
It is surprising to me the movie isn't more popular. I never heard of it and it only has 3 critic reviews. Yet it is such a great and original movie. I wish more will get to see it.
It took me in from the beginning and I was into the story until the very end. Enjoying every scene without predicting it. Sure, it ended the way I expected it would but everything in between was a great and interesting journey.
Actors are wonderful. They have a great chemistry and also let us to get to know their characters and start loving them. Secondary characters are also very good. I loved the redneck gay couple going to spread grandma's ashes at UFO museum. The scenes with them were pretty awesome. One almost wants to watch a movie about them on their road trip.
One problem of this movie and why it isn't more popular could be "the inaccurate portrayal of mental illness". At least based on two of the three critic reviews I read. They were whining about it. To the ones who think the same: this isn't a documentary. Get over it. I kind of hate times we live in because of this.
It took me in from the beginning and I was into the story until the very end. Enjoying every scene without predicting it. Sure, it ended the way I expected it would but everything in between was a great and interesting journey.
Actors are wonderful. They have a great chemistry and also let us to get to know their characters and start loving them. Secondary characters are also very good. I loved the redneck gay couple going to spread grandma's ashes at UFO museum. The scenes with them were pretty awesome. One almost wants to watch a movie about them on their road trip.
One problem of this movie and why it isn't more popular could be "the inaccurate portrayal of mental illness". At least based on two of the three critic reviews I read. They were whining about it. To the ones who think the same: this isn't a documentary. Get over it. I kind of hate times we live in because of this.
Enjoyed it
LukeCustomer210 December 2021
If you are looking for a falling in love during a road trip movie, like say "the Sure Thing" this movie is for you, with a few differences.
Kenny Parker and Lolita Nowicki meet on a bridge in Chicago and find out they have a few things in common, not the least of which is the desire to end it all. When a random man mistakes Kenny's Ice Cream Uniform for a Valet attendant, handing him a very nice car, an idea is born to head to the Golden Gate Bridge.
Both characters are likable and and sometimes not, but, the trip is worth it and I thought this had a better ending than most of this kind of movie.
Kenny Parker and Lolita Nowicki meet on a bridge in Chicago and find out they have a few things in common, not the least of which is the desire to end it all. When a random man mistakes Kenny's Ice Cream Uniform for a Valet attendant, handing him a very nice car, an idea is born to head to the Golden Gate Bridge.
Both characters are likable and and sometimes not, but, the trip is worth it and I thought this had a better ending than most of this kind of movie.
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