Starting with a nasty breakup, X/Y follows the couple as they go their separate ways and opens out to follow their two friends in four separate but intersecting chapters, giving a fresh spin on an otherwise standard relationship drama. Sophomore director Ryan Piers Williams focuses on the lives of these four thirtysomethings as they try to get a handle on their messy love lives.
Williams also stars as Mark, whose relationship with Sylvia (America Ferrera) is on the skids after she confesses to cheating on him with a colleague (Common). He moves in with his best friend Jake (Jon Paul Phillips), a DJ/model who’s still reeling from his own breakup and trying to fill the void with casual sex and abstract art. Meanwhile, Sylvia confides in her sister Jen (Melonie Diaz), whose own relationships barely last a week.
The four chapters, entitled Mark, Jen, Jake and Sylvia, dedicate if not equal time to each character, still a significant chunk. Mark and Sylvia are ostensibly the leads but Williams’ fleshing out of Jen and Jake is a refreshing twist on formula and as such, each character is well rounded and well acted.
The standout as it happens is the one we see the least of: Melonie Diaz’s Jen. Diaz is a welcome burst of energy in an often morose and ponderous film, injecting some humour while also providing possibly the most intriguing character. Jen has no job but overspends and is prone to giving out her number to random guys, often sleeping with them on the first date. She’s flawed and authentic, played with charm and charisma by Diaz, and it’s frustrating that she’s given the short straw in the film.
What’s intriguing about Williams’ film is the refreshing directions he takes some of the relationships, particularly the friendship between Mark and Jake. The two have on the surface an easy friendship but there is a lot of unspoken tension bubbling under the surface which eventually manifests itself in an unexpected way. It’s a bold move from Williams but it would have been nice to see it explored more, though it could be said that they react in the way that many male friends would in a similar scenario.
America Ferrera’s Sylvia is the least likable of the foursome but the actress manages to make her sympathetic as her driven and controlled exterior begins to crack, in both her personal and professional lives, revealing the mess of emotions simmering away underneath.
X/Y is complex and mature film that’s full of promise. Unfortunately a lot of avenues remain unexplored and it would’ve been nice to spend a bit more time with these characters, such is the strength of the acting and the writing. At a trim 82 minutes, there might have been the opportunity to expand on the characters’ stories without resulting in a bloated film. Nonetheless, what’s there is strong and shows Williams is a filmmaker capable of sensitivity and insight.
EIFF 2014 — count: 24
Festivals — count: 132
