Opening with a whimsical shot of Leigh (lead actress and screenwriter Meredith Johnston) wandering around an empty small-town landscape past a carnival winding down for the evening, Pet Names, directed by Carol Brandt, is a minor triumph of self-discovery even if it falls prey to a few of the usual tropes. The quirk of its lead masks a deeper pain and the film effectively delivers nuanced emotional blows between laughs and a story about the fine art of hanging out with an old friend. In her best life, Leigh, upon first glance, may be the strong-willed manic pixie dream girl, offering quirky observations like “guacamole isn’t a condiment,” finding joy in her ex-boyfriend’s pug after which they collaborate on the worst love song possible. These moments pass in a film that offers a profound depth under the usual banter and tension.
Johnson is a captivating presence with a natural charm,...
Johnson is a captivating presence with a natural charm,...
- 3/11/2018
- by John Fink
- The Film Stage
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