I love it when a film uses a genre structure (in this case rom-com) to tell a very different story. The Baltimorons is set up like what we would expect from a romantic comedy (the meet cute, the issues pulling apart the characters, the final chase leading to the characters coming together) to explore deeper themes and build rich characters. And I laughed. Comedies rarely make me laugh and I laughed consistently throughout The Baltimorons... at least when I wasn't crying.
While it plays with dripping charm The Batlimorons undercuts all the rom-com tropes by putting at its centre a couple who do not meet the "acceptable" standards for rom-com partners (their ages, their relationship statuses, their body types - all breaking the mold). The film faces issues such as addiction and suicide head on. The film's humour often turns to the dark side, going to some truly emotional places within the jokes. And it all is rooted in a authentic realism that grounds it and gives you the space to truly inhabit it.
This is a breakthrough for writer and star Strassner who is magnetically charismatic throughout. As sketch comedian, he excels here at both the comedy and the drama, giving a beautiful and complicated performance. He has based this script on actual events in his life and woven it around real places in his home town of Baltimore which is likely why the film feels so damn honest and real. This film has the audience eating out of the palm of its hand. It is just so lovely and raw.
The Batlimorons isn't afraid to show us sadness along with the laughs and love. It is delightfully optimistic while confronting real people and their real problems. But all while it is doing that it gives us just a simply good time, focusing on those unexpected moments of fun that sometimes spring up on us, even when things aren't going well.
The Baltimorons
Starring: Michael Strassner, Liz Larsen, Olivia Luccardi
Director: Jay Duplass
Writers: Michael Strassner, Jay Duplass
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