The story of Laps is one of two individuals trying to improve their lives that meet while running laps on a track.
Nathan is an overweight, cigar-smoking man that tries to enlist regular jogger Stephanie to help him get into shape. After some awkward first few encounters, the two spark a friendship which evolves into a relationship. As their relationship builds, both realize that the other is a single parent.
The first bit of tension arises, as Nathan finds that Steph was cheated on by the father of her daughter, and Steph realizes that Nathan actually cheated on his wife. Despite this, they decide to continue with the relationship, promising to be fully honest with each other.
Nathan struggles with a failing career as a cartoonist, as well as being present in his son's life, despite the hostile interactions with his ex-wife. Steph works a desk job, but as dreams of singing professionally. Unfortunately, Steph is very self-conscious about her singing voice, as she only received negative criticism from her ex. The two butt heads as Nathan tries to encourage Steph, but is strongly rebuffed by her.
Eventually Nathan convinces Steph to perform at an Open Mic Night, which ends disastrously due to Steph's ex Joe showing up and shaking her confidence. Nathan doubts the strength of their relationship, which is further tested by an altercation between him and Joe.
During the second argument between the two, Nathan finds himself frustrated and walks away from both Joe and Steph. During this time, Nathan, out of frustration, has sex with his ex-wife, and is caught with her afterwards. Nathan denies that anything happened, but Steph clearly knows that something is wrong. As their relationship begins to spiral, Nathan admits to the affair, and instead of forgiving him, Steph decides to end the relationship.
At the end of the story, we find Steph in a new relationship, which appears to be a healthy one. In contrast, Nathan confronts Steph at the track, attempting to reconcile some sort of connection with her, which she makes clear she does not want. As she walks away from Nathan, we can see the regret and shame. As he looks up, we see Nathan's son as well as his ex-wife that is now pregnant with his child again.
I honestly loved that, throughout the film, the focus shifted from Nathan, to Nathan and Stephanie, to it becoming more of a survivor story for Stephanie as well as a massive reality check for Nathan.
Paralleling how true life operates, Nathan made "one mistake", albeit cheating on your significant other is a large one, and has to pay for it for the rest of his life. It's a tough lesson to learn, but it really is the way things work out sometimes.
There was a nice blend of comedy and emotion that plays well to how relationships work. Admittedly, some of the jokes were hokey, and a few fell flat, but the overall comedy well well thought out. The emotional moments, such as when Nathan asks if Steph still loves Joe, were very well done. Art Hall performs the scene well with depth and emotion. Rachae Thomas also brings honesty to her role that is refreshing to see.
There is a scene where Steph is mustering up the courage to sing in the elevator actually made me feel uncomfortable for her. That level of self-doubt mixed with the desire to pursue a passion is something that isn't always easy to portray accurately, without coming off disingenuous, but Rachael did a fantastic job.
In regards to some of the humor; at one point Joe (Steph's ex) and Nathan square off in a game of football for Steph's affection was almost too cheesy, until reality hits with Nathan's realizing that Steph planned to serve Joe with a restraining order, regardless of the outcome of the match. Nathann's anger for being played as a set piece to her plan felt genuine, as does his reaction of storming off in a mix of embarrassment and anger. This snapped the scene back into reality and actually made me feel bad about liking how silly the match was.
The score, as well as the song Steph writes and performs on Youtube, "Lion-ess", were well developed. It was fun to watch the evolution of that song, as the relationship rose and fell.
Overall this is a very good movie. The subject matter is poignant, and the leading cast act their roles very well. The majority of the humor is well done, and the intimate moments are spot on. This is a movie that is full of emotion and certainly worth the time to watch, and share in the somewhat tragic and uplifting experience with these two characters.
Nathan is an overweight, cigar-smoking man that tries to enlist regular jogger Stephanie to help him get into shape. After some awkward first few encounters, the two spark a friendship which evolves into a relationship. As their relationship builds, both realize that the other is a single parent.
The first bit of tension arises, as Nathan finds that Steph was cheated on by the father of her daughter, and Steph realizes that Nathan actually cheated on his wife. Despite this, they decide to continue with the relationship, promising to be fully honest with each other.
Nathan struggles with a failing career as a cartoonist, as well as being present in his son's life, despite the hostile interactions with his ex-wife. Steph works a desk job, but as dreams of singing professionally. Unfortunately, Steph is very self-conscious about her singing voice, as she only received negative criticism from her ex. The two butt heads as Nathan tries to encourage Steph, but is strongly rebuffed by her.
Eventually Nathan convinces Steph to perform at an Open Mic Night, which ends disastrously due to Steph's ex Joe showing up and shaking her confidence. Nathan doubts the strength of their relationship, which is further tested by an altercation between him and Joe.
During the second argument between the two, Nathan finds himself frustrated and walks away from both Joe and Steph. During this time, Nathan, out of frustration, has sex with his ex-wife, and is caught with her afterwards. Nathan denies that anything happened, but Steph clearly knows that something is wrong. As their relationship begins to spiral, Nathan admits to the affair, and instead of forgiving him, Steph decides to end the relationship.
At the end of the story, we find Steph in a new relationship, which appears to be a healthy one. In contrast, Nathan confronts Steph at the track, attempting to reconcile some sort of connection with her, which she makes clear she does not want. As she walks away from Nathan, we can see the regret and shame. As he looks up, we see Nathan's son as well as his ex-wife that is now pregnant with his child again.
I honestly loved that, throughout the film, the focus shifted from Nathan, to Nathan and Stephanie, to it becoming more of a survivor story for Stephanie as well as a massive reality check for Nathan.
Paralleling how true life operates, Nathan made "one mistake", albeit cheating on your significant other is a large one, and has to pay for it for the rest of his life. It's a tough lesson to learn, but it really is the way things work out sometimes.
There was a nice blend of comedy and emotion that plays well to how relationships work. Admittedly, some of the jokes were hokey, and a few fell flat, but the overall comedy well well thought out. The emotional moments, such as when Nathan asks if Steph still loves Joe, were very well done. Art Hall performs the scene well with depth and emotion. Rachae Thomas also brings honesty to her role that is refreshing to see.
There is a scene where Steph is mustering up the courage to sing in the elevator actually made me feel uncomfortable for her. That level of self-doubt mixed with the desire to pursue a passion is something that isn't always easy to portray accurately, without coming off disingenuous, but Rachael did a fantastic job.
In regards to some of the humor; at one point Joe (Steph's ex) and Nathan square off in a game of football for Steph's affection was almost too cheesy, until reality hits with Nathan's realizing that Steph planned to serve Joe with a restraining order, regardless of the outcome of the match. Nathann's anger for being played as a set piece to her plan felt genuine, as does his reaction of storming off in a mix of embarrassment and anger. This snapped the scene back into reality and actually made me feel bad about liking how silly the match was.
The score, as well as the song Steph writes and performs on Youtube, "Lion-ess", were well developed. It was fun to watch the evolution of that song, as the relationship rose and fell.
Overall this is a very good movie. The subject matter is poignant, and the leading cast act their roles very well. The majority of the humor is well done, and the intimate moments are spot on. This is a movie that is full of emotion and certainly worth the time to watch, and share in the somewhat tragic and uplifting experience with these two characters.