By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs
As we grow older, it can be hard to part ways with the close friends we've shared so many memories with. Yet, as lifestyle changes and shifting priorities take hold, we often find ourselves with little choice but to let go. Then again, some people struggle to know when--or how--to leave. This is the heart of the new romantic comedy
"Adult Best Friends," directed/co-written, produced, and starring
Delaney Buffett, daughter of the late music legend
Jimmy Buffett.
"Adult Best Friends" is loosely inspired by the long-life, longstanding friendship between Katie Corwin ("Billionaire Boys Club") and Delaney Buffett (Delaney, TV’s "My Astronaut").
In the movie, which is also Delaney's feature film debut, they play childhood friends who have shared nearly every milestone together since middle school--including the nerve-wracking anticipation of their first schoolboy kiss at a party.
Fast forward several years, Katie and Delaney are in their 30s. Katie is living with her charming and handsome physical therapist boyfriend, John (Mason Gooding, "Scream VI", the son of Cuba Gooding Jr.). They are making big plans, even discussing marriage.
Meanwhile, Delaney is stuck in a different place--living for the party, unable to settle down with one guy, and refusing to embrace adulthood. Things aren't helped by her equally carefree roommate, Roxy (Cazzie David, "I Love You, Forever"), who is also trapped in a cycle of arrested development.
When John proposes to Katie, she enthusiastically accepts and is on cloud nine. However, she quickly finds herself wondering how Delaney will react to the news, especially since the soon-to-be newlyweds are considering moving away from the area.
After discussing it with John and her brother Henry (Zachary Quinto, "TV's Brilliant Minds"), Katie decides to take a mini road trip to the beach with Delaney. It’s meant to be a fun getaway, and she hopes it's the perfect time to break the engagement news to her.
Surely, Delaney will be happy for her. Right? Well, not exactly.
As the pair discuss their friendship, deep-rooted feelings begin to surface. Delaney confesses that she's never been particularly fond of John and doesn't think he's the right match for Katie. Ouch! Now, Katie is struggling to find the right moment to tell Delaney about her plans.
To make matters worse, their "exciting" weekend is further complicated by Dougie (Corey Walls, "The Secret Life of Pets 2"), the quirky and overbearing owner of the Airbnb. His rules are even more stifling than those in that infamous Nick Saban Vrbo commercial.
The two women end up attending a bachelor party, reluctantly spending time with the groom, Charlie (Conner Hines, "Something from Tiffanys"), his future brother-in-law, Kyle (Benjamin Norris, TV's "Abbott Elementary"), and their friends--Tommy, the tech guru (Michael Rowland, TV's "Animal Control"), and Phil (Carmen Christopher, TV's "English Teacher").
The awkwardness is compounded when Katie and Delaney run into their annoying college friend Gwen (Miki Ishikawa, TV's "The Rookie: Feds"), and her husband Theo (Alexander Hodge, "TV's Grosse Pointe Garden Society").
"Adult Best Friends" is a quirky and often humorous exploration of relationships, and the lengths people will go to make them work, no matter the cost.
Though the movie takes its time to get going, it hits its stride midway through, and by the end, it offers a refreshing and realistic message about the dynamics of friendship and family.
Editor's Note: Be sure to catch my N2Entertainment.net movie talk segment on the Kitty O'Neal Show Fridays now at 5:17 p.m. and 6:47 p.m. on radio station KFBK 93.1 FM and 1530 AM.
Look At This Trailer For
"ADULT BEST FRIENDS"
Lana K. Wilson-Combs is a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA), The American Film Institute (AFI), and a Nominating Committee Voting Member for the NAACP Image Awards.
