If the name Max Landis sounds familiar, then you probably already know to expect high energy, slightly silly, and oddly off-beat indie movies from the young screenwriter, which he delivers here with Me Him Her, a madcap joyride of a comedy that makes for a solid directorial debut and should stand as another achievement in Landis’ already colorful career. Landis, whose father is the legendary director John Landis (The Blues Brothers, Animal House), has already made a name for himself in Hollywood, penning screenplays for such cineplex hits as Chronicle and American Ultra.
In the queer-aimed Me Him Her, two bi-coastal college friends reunite when Brendan (Luke Bracey), an actor living in Los Angeles, asks Florida-set Cory (Dustin Milligan) to fly to L.A. to help him keep his newly-realized homosexuality a secret, right before his big TV series debut.
Cory agrees and persuades Brendan to meet Brendan’s crush at a gay bar, only to meet Gabbi (Emily Meade), a lesbian whose distressed flannel looks about as beat up as she feels. Cory and Gabbi’s flirty, albeit drunken, banter, leads to a passionate one-night stand and an even bigger hangover, where a confused Gabbi leaves her mistake (AKA Cory) stranded in Santa Monica and deems to get her life together once and for all. The humor in Me Him Her comes into play when Brendan, Cory, and Gabbi are forced to face the relationship problems that millennials know all too well while struggling to stay true to themselves in a superficial town like Hollywood.
Landis’ story of finding love in present-day Los Angeles may ring true to those who frequent gay bars and pride parades, but for the most part, this rom-com is entirely satirical and pokes fun at itself and the city in general. Brendan is told by his agents, tongue-in-cheek, that he “can’t come out casually – it either has to be a secret or a career move.” While not heavy-handed, Landis does manage to ever so slightly lift the lid on Hollywood’s narrow-mindedness when it comes to the taboo of homosexuality in film and television, and seeing this struggle through Brendan’s eyes makes for a unique and interesting perspective.
Small supporting roles from the more recognizable Alia Shawkat, Haley Joel Osment, and Geena Davis are sprinkled throughout the film, which gives it instant clout. The soundtrack is an upbeat mix of artists like Fun., Ingrid Michaelson, and Krewella and would make the perfect Spotify party playlist. If you’re into high energy, slightly silly, and oddly entertaining independent films, then add Me Him Her to your movie queue.
