Plot: What’s it about?
It can be hard breaking off a friendship with someone you’ve known for a while, but want to discontinue. The longevity can sometimes hold a stronger bond than with most other friends. This is especially true if you live in a small town where you tend to run into familiar faces much more often. I’ve had many friends that I’ve had to just part ways. Some people take the hint better than others, but it’s never easy to do even if it’s the best thing for all parties concerned. I bring this topic up, because Joshy asks us to spend some 90 minutes with some rather unlikeable and uninteresting characters. It doesn’t help that there’s really not much of a plot here, but I grew tired of this film rather fast. I thought back on Seinfeld, the long running sitcom that was widely known as “The show about nothing.” It’s also one of my favorite sitcoms and while it didn’t necessarily feature the most likeable characters, I found it so relatable and had a lot of empathy for the characters. This film could almost be viewed as an extended episode with the idea of it not really being about anything. The big difference is here is that the film has nothing to say. It just sort of sits there.
We begin with the title character played by Thomas Middleditch going about his morning routine which includes going to the gym and his fiancé Rachel (Allison Brie) is cooking dinner. As he returns home, he discovers she has committed suicide. Don’t take that as a spoiler since it happens within the film’s opening moments, and is also the driving force of the “Plot”. Flash forward to 4 months and Josh’s friends decide to go through with that was supposed to be his bachelor party. Josh, along with three other friends decide to go through with the trip. We see them hanging out at a bar, making chit chat with some of the locals and the bartender. We get to know some things about the characters, but nothing is the least bit amusing. They spend some time in the hot tub, talking about the usual things, but this whole act carries on throughout the entire film. It gets old fast. There are some fairly interesting elements thrown in near the end of the film, but it’s too little, too late. Far too late for us to invest much interest. Jenny Slate shows up as well, and I must say that I find her particularly annoying. Most all of us have that one actor or actress that just gets under our skin, and she’s one of mine. Much of the film also has that indy feel to it, but it doesn’t work here. There needs to be something more to propel what little story there is. Sadly there isn’t.
Video: How’s it look?
The transfer looks about as expected. We get a 2.40:1 ratio, AVC encoded image that’s perfectly serviceable for this sort of film. Details are fine and colors seemed even as well. The print shows no issues either. Fans will be fine with the results here.
Audio: How’s it sound?
The DTS HD track is the same as the video. Don’t expect too much and you’ll be fine. This is a talky film, a VERY talky one at that, so expect the vocals to dominate most of the front speakers. When the music comes in, it does so nicely, but the dialogue is what makes up most of the film. This track presents the film well.
Supplements: What are the extras?
- Audio Commentary – Writer/Director Jeff Baena, Producer/Actor Adam Pally and Actor Thomas Middleditch collaborate on this track. I didn’t listen to it, but I’m sure fans of the film will enjoy its presence.
The Bottom Line
With virtually no plot and some uninteresting characters, Joshy is a misfire on multiple levels. The thought of ever having to sit through this film again pains me. If the film maybe had an ounce of wit or something we could connect with, it might’ve been successful, but it’s just dull and boring. Skip it.
