It’s a full-circle moment for Tig Notaro and Stephanie Allynne. The real-life couple, who first met on the set of the 2013 Sundance selection In a World… return to the festival as evolved women: now married, and bringing their directorial feature debut, AM I OK?, with them.

Even if you aren’t familiar with stand-up comic Tig Notaro & actor Stephanie’s real-life love story, you’ll find there is a lot to admire in their new film. Born out of the duo’s personal vulnerabilities around self-discovery and acceptance, it’s their authentic point of view that makes AM I OK? a satisfying film debut. Although a little simply conceived, AM I OK? is a tender and tonally-confidant first feature.

Watch the AM I OK? trailer here.

Finding Yourself at 32

Lucy (Dakota Johnson) and Jane (Sonoya Mizuno) are best friends. No one understands each others’ lunch orders or inside jokes better than they do. The earliest hint of a strain in their relationship comes when Jane tells Lucy some unexpected news: her company has given her relocation orders and she’ll be moving from Los Angeles to London in a few months.

Lucy is taken aback; she tries her best to be happy for her friend but deep down, she’s terrified that their relationship will change forever. With time now ticking against them, Lucy also musters up the courage to share something she’s never admitted before: she’s gay.

Equally taken aback by this confession, Jane swiftly makes it her mission to help Lucy feel confident exploring her sexuality before she leaves for London. But Lucy is a bottle of anxiety, which causes her to overthink every interaction with her cute co-worker Brittany (Kiersey Clemons). Lucy is angry, frustrated, and sad. How, at 32 years old, is she just admitting this out loud now, she bemoans. Lucy’s insecurities eventually take their toll on Jane, which causes a rift between the girls as the London countdown looms closer. The film ends on a slightly predictable note but the heartwarming sentiment is more than enough to have us invested up until the very end.

Shoutout to Silverlake

Sundance darling Dakota Johnson embodies the conflicted Lucy with such grace, that it’s impossible not to sympathize with her struggles. Her typically quiet demeanor is stretched in unfamiliar ways, as we see her weeping in bathroom stalls and having explosive public arguments. Dakota proves that she can hit any note on the emotional spectrum. Sonoya Mizuno plays Jane with such loyalty and tough love, that we’d all be lucky to have a best friend like her.

Stylistically, notable moments include the spot-on soundtrack curated by music supervisors Randall Poster and Meghan Currier. Phoebe Bridgers’ Motion Sickness and ROE’s Etc Etc fit like missing puzzle pieces in its script. (It’s also incredible to see many scenes take place at my favorite LA bar/restaurant, Edendale!)

Takeaway

AM I OK? is a love story about female friendship and the strength it takes to be honest with yourself. As Lucy learns through her highs and lows of self-discovery, fear shouldn’t dictate the choices you make. Yes, it’s scary to face rejection or disappointment but it’s even more terrifying to look back on life and realize you’ve missed out on what you truly wanted.

This review originally ran on January 25, 2022 during the Sundance Film Festival.