Keep the Change (2017)

A New York City romantic comedy, Keep the Change is the unlikely love story of two people who meet in a support group.

Director:

Rachel Israel

Writer:

Rachel Israel

Stars:

Jessica Walter, Christina Brucato, Jennifer Brito

5 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Jessica Walter	...	Carrie
Christina Brucato	...	Karen
Jennifer Brito	...	Julia
Samantha Elisofon	...	Sarah
Tibor Feldman	...	Lenny
Evander Duck Jr.	...	Bus Driver
Johnathan Tchaikovsky	...	Matt Cone
Sondra James	...	Grandma
Anna Suzuki	...	Angie
Brandon Polansky	...	David
Tommy Beardmore	...	Kevin
Alex Emanuel	...	Michael
Macy Cassera	...	Tina
Luke Rosen	...	Luke
Lex Campbell	...	Restaurant Patron

Storyline

When aspiring filmmaker David is mandated by a judge to attend a social program at the Jewish Community Center, he is sure of one thing: he doesn't belong there. But when he's assigned to visit the Brooklyn Bridge with the vivacious Sarah, sparks fly and his convictions are tested. Their budding relationship must weather Sarah's romantic past, David's judgmental mother, and their own pre-conceptions of what love is supposed to look like.

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Plot Keywords:

based on short film | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official Twitter

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 March 2018 (USA)

Also Known As:

Az aprót megtarthatod

Filming Locations:

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$12,445, 18 March 2018, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$202,788, 14 June 2018

Company Credits

Production Co:

Salem Street Entertainment,Tangerine Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Based on a short film with the same title.

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Soundtracks

Katie's Waltz
Written by Alexander McCabe
Performed by Alexander McCabe

User Reviews

perspective on spectrum

Greetings again from the darkness. More attention is being paid these days to those on the spectrum, and it's fascinating to see how the entertainment world deals with these folks. Writer/director Rachel Israel has developed her short story into her first feature length film with an unusually naturalistic approach by having numerous non-actors on the spectrum play key characters. Rather than observing from the outside, we are privileged to join in with how they handle life's daily challenges.

Brandon Polansky is David, a self-proclaimed filmmaker who lives with his very wealthy parents (Jessica Walter, Tibor Feldman). We first meet David as he's being dropped off at some type of support group meeting. His attendance is court-ordered as an alternative to jail after he was arrested for telling a pig joke to a cop. It's pretty clear to us that David doesn't subscribe to traditionally accepted social behavior, though he aims to be a cool guy while hiding behind sunglasses that mask his insecurities. He thrives on telling jokes, although he is unable to discern what is appropriate and what isn't, learning the hard way that rape jokes aren't proper for a first date.

The support group meetings leave us trying to figure out exactly how these folks got here ... and why. Autism and other forms of personality disorders are part of each of the members, and yet we quickly come to understand the various traits of each person. Some are shy, while others are outgoing - and each is a distinct individual. David is initially annoyed by the enthusiasm and positivity offered by Sarah (Samantha Elisofon), but the two quickly form a relationship that is probably good for both of them, though quite different than what we usually see in a Romantic Comedy.

Ms. Israel films all around NYC, and some of the street scenes are terrific with a realism we don't often see. These are outsiders and outcasts, and we soon come to appreciate the ebbs and flows of their community. The quirks that we all have are at a heightened level here. These may include sand on our feet, or the trauma of a merry-go-round. Social anxiety abounds, and David even admits to his parents that one of the reasons he likes Sarah is that they are both "weird".

There is a blend of sweetness, sadness, and cruelty throughout and Mr. Polansky and Ms. Elisofon are a pleasure to watch. That is the life these folks live. They may be able to tell a funny Bernie Madoff joke, while not understanding that their "perfect pitch" is anything but. We do get to hear David's joke, and he prefaces it with "I got in trouble for this one". Understanding leads to acceptance, and though Ms. Israel's film tells us "sometimes change happens for the worse", it also shows us a bit of empathy goes a long way.