Collaborators David Joseph Craig and Brian Crano come together to bring an unlikely duo together in one of the most outrageously hilarious comedy of errors that could simply be described as gay Midsommar but funny. Honestly, the movie has no right being as funny, outrageous and clever as it I but something Craig and Crano blend these two genres effortlessly and get some of the best performances out of their leads to create something so inherently unique and brilliant it truly has to be seen to be believed.
The movie focuses on Dom and Cole (Nick Kroll and Andrew Rannells) respectfully as they’re trying to adopt a child after their last adoption unfortunately fell apart and left them feeling almost disjointed and disconnected. They want to take a break and have a clean reset as their soon-to-be child’s mother Candace (Amanda Seyfried) is closing in on her due date and escape to the beautiful landscape of Italy. However, as Dom and Cole seemingly booked this trip more on a whim and less planned, neither of them speak much – if any Italian really, and their Americanism gets in the way and leads them down a rather disastrous road. When they arrive at Zia Luciana (Nunzia Schiano)’s house they realize this is the woman behind the restaurant they were meant to eat at and reinvigorate her love of cooking. Through a series of miscommunications, errors, and a language barrier they misunderstand a lot of what is happening and is said and one thing leads to another before the horror truly kicks off in the most outlandish and ridiculous way possible. I Don’t Understand You could be read as subtext for relationships on the rocks – or be taken literally in a landscape of language barriers.
Kroll and Rannells are truly excellent together as their chemistry is not only infectious but the two of them are also incredibly hilarious to the surprise of no one. Having these two bounce off each other and create the dynamic that comes into play throughout the film pays off in dividends as it truly creates a story that audiences can get behind and laugh at consistently. It is such an outlandish idea, but one that has surely happened (obviously not to this extent) that creates a vibrant and over the top world to just fall into. Rannells and Kroll both bring their A-Game and truly create something that will be everlasting once it gets discovered and delight audiences with their bizarre antics that make them two comedians to begin with, but their ability to play off each other is where the gold lays.
I Don’t Understand You is not a debut for David Joseph Craig and Brian Crano in any regard, but with how inventively funny and ingenious the script and direction are balanced by the performances of the two leads makes one want to explore the rest of their filmography. Truly a brilliant, out of the box coming of age film that is so much funnier and heartwarming than expected grounded by two of the funniest people currently working today. I Don’t Understand You will be people’s reactions if one simply does not enjoy the trip they embark on with this movie.
The Ritual wants to perform a ritual on its audience which would be creating something for them to get lost in and transported to another time and place while watching an exorcism be performed. Instead, what we get is a mis-genred film that has everyone doing the same thing except the director which creates an off balanced film. Overall, the performances are what save this from being a disaster, and the overall exorcism aspect of it is strong enough to be enjoyed by the right audience.
