Gravitas Ventures
It’s funny how timing works out. Recently I saw The Rental which was co-written by Joe Swanberg, and he was previously married to Kris Rey, the director and writer of I Used To Go Here. But unlike the last couple of movies I’ve seen, this director/writer has actually directed a movie before. I think there’s something to a feeling of confidence that helps focus the story in some ways. And sometimes it feels personally connected more than you’d expect.
I Used To Go Here stars Gillian Jacobs as Kate, a 30-something writer who has just published her debut novel, although the launch has not been going well and her book tour has been cancelled. But amidst all the cloud of worries, she gets contacted by her old writing professor from college, David (Jemaine Clement), about coming to speak at her old college. Kate remembers David fondly, as her writing inspiration and not-so-secret crush, so she is naturally looking forward to it.
But the old college try is different than she expected. She ends up staying at a bed and breakfast across the street from her old writer’s sanctuary house, which is now full of dudes, albeit wannabe writer dudes. Carted around town by an overexcited liaison (Rammel Chan), Kate falls into problematic old patterns, all while she amusingly calls back home to best friend Laura (Zoë Chao, always welcome).
Naturally she does the usual business; meets an old college acquaintance who is weirdly different now, feels jealous about the new young girl that writes well and draws David’s attention, and even parties absurdly with the young 20-something dudes. Gillian Jacobs plays her age here, as an unreasonably good looking woman in her 30s, but her awkward energy works well to play off everyone else.
Some side characters and situations draw the most laughs, while a few specific awkward interactions might require you to grab some water or something to avoid a coughing fit. Don’t eat anything too salty while watching this, that’s what I’m saying. The movie is actively asking a question about the future, and it’s not an easy answer to think about either. Kate expected to be a huge success already, so when she’s not, it’s easy to understand why she regresses.
I know I wouldn’t want to hang out with a bunch of college students anytime soon at a house party. They like beer pong too much, anyway. So what I’m saying here is that I understand Kate, although she’s doing better than I do — she may have a failed published novel, but that’s better than me.
I really like Gillian Jacobs’ turn here as Kate; it feels real and dynamic, funny and honest, without falling into cliché or melodrama. Sometimes the right movie is a decent slice of life that’s hinting at big ideas, and doesn’t rely on obvious villains, just people with problems. Overall, the movie (although it takes place in “July 2020” — yeesh) is funny and authentic, and offers some side roles from some decent actors, including some younger actors that are actually the appropriate age for college.
Will wonders never cease.
I Used To Go Here has a run time of 1 hour 20 minutes and is not rated.
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