Mutual Appreciation

‘Nobody captures the zeitgeist like Bujalski and his delicious cast,’ according to an American critic on the subject of Mutual Appreciation. A compliment, no doubt, but it does not do justice to the universal, timeless familiarity of twenty-somethings discovering themselves. This second film by Bujalski was shot in black & white and on 16mm, so of course it also evokes the mood of the work of Cassavetes and of some films of the nouvelle-vague. The protagonist, Alan, wonderfully acted (and sung) by Justin Rice, is a singer/songwriter from Boston who wants to try and make it in New York. His band has just split up and he is looking for a drummer. An interview with a charming radio presenter leads to a brief affair and gets him his drummer. Alongside his activities to promote himself, Alan drinks and philosophises with his old friend Lawrence (played by Bujalski) and his girlfriend Ellie. Alan feels attracted to Ellie, even though this does not fit in with his plans. In the apparently improvised and nonchalantly filmed scenes, alongside Bujalski and Rice (documentary maker and vocalist with the band Bishop Allen) you may recognise short film maker Kate Dollenmayer and director Bill Morrison, whose work has also been seen in Rotterdam. (GT)

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