This film is an absolute exercise in restraint. It's like a modern date update on the question posed on "When Harry Met Sally". Well, not exactly. Drinking Buddies is the story of two work friends who you spend the whole time wondering when they're going to wonder if they should be more. The chemistry between Wilde and Johnson is palpable. Add Livingston and Kendrik into the mix and you've got a pretty goddamn good cast there - in fact, it makes an indie filmmaker jealous.
Swanberg makes his films from an outline, and that's not a surprise here with the aesthetic, but it never takes away from the film itself. Everyone is so natural and honest, which I'm sure was the intent. This film messes with you in a good way - you think it's going one way then it dekes left. It's emotionally honest and awkward and universal. We've all had that friend we met while we were with someone else that made us comfortable and question everything we thought we knew.
I wanted to see this film a lot earlier, and was bumped to discover it on Netflix. If you like relationship films at all - this is a must see!
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