Tiny Furniture

So I remember seeing the trailer for this at SXSW in 2010 but I wasn't able to go see it because of my schedule. I had since forgotten about the movie even though it looked interesting but now it's on Netflix instant and I finally got to see it. It's sad the anticipation was better than the product. The movie, which is a microbudget indie made with $50,000 and written and directed by it's star Lena Dunham. The movie actually won best first screenplay at the Independent Spirit Awards and was nominated for three other various awards.

The movie is about a post-grad, played by Dunham, who moves back home to New York City to live with her artist mother. She gets a job at a restaurant and hangs out with some friends. Okay that about sums up the whole movie.

Yes yes it's about the post-grad what-do-I-do-with-my-life syndrome, which means it's basically about nothing. Some of the characters have some witty observations about life, but they're few and far between. The movie borders on becoming a little mumblecore movie, but the nice cinematography seems to save it from that fate. I didn't find the main character very endearing, and rather whiny. Perhaps because I have children and real responsibilities I wasn't able to relate to this movie, but then again I still love The Graduate.

The camera lenses were soft when needed and focused in other shots. The angles were done nicely as well with interesting focus. Even with the smooth moves and interesting angles, it couldn't hide the fact that the characters were just rambling along with the plot.

I found the crazy friend Charlotte the most entertaining and endearing with her mysterious accent and no holds barred attitude. I also found the younger sister equally as entertaining with her passive-aggressive demeanor. Sadly, I did not find the main character entertaining, and seeing as she is in every scene of the movie, this was hard to work with. Not saying she didn't play the character well, I just wasn't interested in the character.

Sadly, I was very disappointed in this movie. Aside from the nice camera work and plot points that were almost discovered, the movie was quite boring in my opinion and this is coming from someone who loves movies about nothing. Perhaps it just wasn't for me. Apparently someone likes the movie since was nominated four times. I was also secretly disappointed there wasn't more tiny furniture in the movie. "I just don't think you should promise things you can't actually deliver"