Pictured: Jason Ritter and Jess Wiexler
While browsing through Netflix: Instant Play today, I stumbled upon the independent romance flick Peter & Vandy, starring Teeth actress Jess Wiexler and Jason Ritter, who is making quite a name for himself in the indie circuit with films like this and the recent Good Dick. I had seen the trailer several months ago and was vaguely interested, but I do confess I went into it today simply because I had nothing better to do and felt content watching a little throw-away romantic indie. Little did I know, I was viewing what I now consider an instant favorite.
Based on the 2002 play written by director Jay DiPietro, Peter & Vandy tells the story of a young couple living in Manhattan who must face the day to day challenges of any two people looking to find love in a partner. The film is told in a series of snapshots that are presented in a skewed order, leading one to make assumptions about the chronology of particular moments that are not entirely accurate. I know what you’re thinking, “(500) Days of Summer, anyone?” and it’s true, the structure and basic plot are very similar, however, Peter & Vandy contains not a trace of the visual gimmickry that ultimately bogs down 500 Days. It is a simple story well-told, and it is the simplicity of the stylization that allows the audience to embrace that truly unique feeling that they are a collective voyeur, observing the human condition in its most fragile state.
Not only would this feeling not be possible without the careful direction of DiPietro, but also without the tender, honest acting of Wiexler and Ritter. It is incredibly difficult not to root for them, everything about their chemistry seems flawed in exactly the right way, the way that allows you to believe they are meant for each other. They’re the kind of pair that one would see in a restaurant and wonder what she was doing with a guy like him, but after a few minutes it would start to make inexplicable sense.
It's a shame the film did not see more life after it splashed during the 2009 festival circuit. Despite winning a Grand Jury Prize at Sundance, its rival (500) Days, ended up getting the distribution deals. That and its largely mixed reviews aside, if your idea of an indie romance film boils down to two people just trying to figure it out, then Peter & Vandy was made for you.
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