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Sleeping with Other People (2015)

Twelve years ago Lainey (Alison Brie) and Jake (Jason Sudeikis) lost their virginity to one another when accidentally running into each other in Jake’s college dorm. Fast forward to today, both Lainey and Jake are what one might call monogamy-challenged. To be blunt, they have spent the majority of the adults lives Sleeping with Other People, are serial cheaters, and they have allowed sex to consume their lives since their enounter over a decade ago. By chance, they run into each other again at a Sex and Love Addicts meeting and decide to begin a friendship completely void of sex. There is, without a doubt, a connection that is beyond plutonic, but the two decide that remaining friends is the best option for the two, for now. Can the two life-long cheaters, who constantly think about sex, find themselves in a healthy, monogamous relationship together, or are there other plans for the two of them?


Jason Sudeikis has become a favorite of mine over the course of the past few months. He is funny, he is relatable and, oddly enough he is not so incredibly talented that every line comes off as perfect. His slightly flawed acting ability allows audiences to feel a connection to each one of his characters because each of his lines feels real, rather than overly practiced or forced. His roles are often quite similar to one another, and that is true of his role in Sleeping with Other People. Jake is simple; he knows what he wants in life, and while audiences do not necessarily share his obsession, they understand what he is feeling. He wants success, he wants happiness and he wants to fall in love. His methods of achieving each of those goals is not necessarily the path that the majority of the world might take, but he shares those same goals and aspirations. The simplicity and silliness of the character is perfect because he is fractured and because he struggles to find the happiness that we all want; Jake is an everyman. Alison Brie has found success in Hollywood, particularly on the beloved comedy Community. Brie, however, is not someone that I am too familiar with. Like Sudeikis, Brie is able to connect with audiences and represents the human dream. The two work beautifully together and draw in the audience as well as any other cinematic duo. They are fun and lovable, they are incredibly understandable and their world mirrors viewers’ reality. 


The story is similar to a chick flick, without being monotonous and repetitive. It is cutesy, but not too cutesy as to keep the male audience involved and engaged. Writer-director Leslye Headland finds a perfect balance between raunchy and family friendly humor (not to say that the film is geared, in any way, toward a younger audience) as to attract audiences of both genders and audiences of all different mindsets. On the simplest of levels (and from the standpoint of an average moviegoer) Sleeping with Other People has everything one might ask for. It has incredibly funny humor (and dry humor to help with balance), a compelling story (that, if you dive deeper, has a very in-depth meaning), an attractive cast and even some action. Headland, Sudeikis, Brie and the rest of the cast and crew hit every nail on the head. They develop a beautiful story of hope that transcends audiences and makes them feel something. The comedy almost acts like a mask, and, like in real life, is used as a thin veil to cover the depression and the hurt that lies beneath the surface of the film. So much can be said about the quality of the performances and the quality of the story, but Sleeping with Other People is a film that needs to be viewed personally to be truly appreciated. So, with very little to do, boot up Netflix and enjoy the spectacle that is Sleeping with Other People



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