Peter and Vandy (2009)

Peter and Vandy is a 2009 American romantic independent drama film starring Jason Ritter and Jess Weixler. The film was written and directed by Jay DiPietro, adapted from his own play of the same name which opened in 2002 in New York.

Plot

Peter and Vandy is a love story told out of order. Set in Manhattan, the story shifts back and forth in time, juxtaposing Peter and Vandy's romantic beginnings with the twisted, manipulative, regular couple they become.

Cast

Jason Ritter as Peter

Jess Weixler as Vandy

Jesse L. Martin as Paul

Tracie Thoms as Marissa

Noah Bean as Andrew

Bruce Altman as Dad

Dana Eskelson as Emma

Kristina Klebe as Michelle

Zak Orth as Keith

David Rasche as Alan

Maryann Plunkett as Mom

Release

The film selected and premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 19, 2009. It opened on a limited release basis in the United States in October of the same year. It has been screened at various film festivals, including: the São Paulo International Film Festival, the Gen Art Film Festival, the AFI Dallas Film Festival, the Waterfront Film Festival, the Provincetown International Film Festival and the Tallgrass Film Festival.

A DVD of the film was released on February 9, 2010, in Region 1.

Reception

Critical response

Peter Vandy drew mixed reviews from critics. As of June 2020, the film holds a 65% approval rating on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, based on 20 reviews with an average rating of 5.55/10. The New York Times film critic Jeannette Catsoulis gave the film a mixed review, praising the film's acting, photography, and soundtrack but saying "nonlinear structure...and unrevealing dialogue too often hold us at arm's length, a puzzle to be solved without sufficient clues....Peter and Vandy is more a designer frame for actors than nourishing entertainment." By contrast, film critics Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat of the web-based Spirituality & Practice, praised the nonlinear structure, saying "the filmmaker challenges us to understand and appreciate that intimate relationships stand or fall on the basis of how couples handle trifles and everyday routines. Metromix film critic Geoff Berkshire also liked the film, saying it offers "a refreshingly clear-eyed look at relationships," comparing it to Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. "The non-linear approach relies on both subtle and obvious visual clues to keep the audience properly oriented, and enhances the narrative...DiPietro's dialogue is sharp and Ritter and Weixler credibly flesh out characters who aren't always likeable, they're just two regular people trying their best at love." Meanwhile, panning the film in Variety, critic Todd McCarthy felt "Some of the linear deck-shuffling creates small frissons, but there's no underlying tension or subtext to shore up the banal talk."

Awards

Nominated

Sundance Film Festival: Grand Jury Prize, Dramatic, Jay DiPietro; 2009.

Soundtrack

Track listing

"Abel" by The National

"Wet and Rusting" by Menomena

"Brace Yourself" by Les Savy Fav

"Air Better Come" by The Shaky Hands

"Enticing Luxuries" by Chris DiPetrio

"Overture" by Patrick Wolf

"Good Arms vs. Bad Arms" by Frightened Rabbit

"Fireworks" by Animal Collective

"For Money or Love" by The Like Young

"The Same Old Song" by 33 To Nothing

"Gospel" by The National

References

External links

Press kit for film at Strand Releasing

Peter and Vandy at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films

Peter and Vandy at IMDb

Peter and Vandy film trailer on YouTube at Strand Releasing Channel

Jay DiPietro interview at indieWire