The last couple of years have seen Greta Gerwig emerge from a predominantly mumblecore background into the public spotlight. There have been big name directors – Whit Stillman and Woody Allen. There have been big name stars – Ben Stiller and Natalie Portman. And every so often, a big budget film –Arthur. And then there is Lola Versus. An indie flick without any of the aforementioned traits. Oh, and minus any talent, whatsoever.

 

When Lola’s (Greta Gerwig) marriage is broken off at the last minute by her fiancée Luke (Joel Kinnaman), she embarks on a series of sexual flings. These bring her little happiness and successfully dissolve all her close friendships. That is, until she realizes true happiness comes from within…. (cue gut-wrenching groans…)

 

Daryl Wein’s second flick is an unmitigated disaster, replete with perceptible plot holes, poor characterization and paltry performances. From the get-go, one is left wondering why an undeniably one-dimensional fiancé bizarrely calls off a promising relationship. It doesn’t help that Kinnaman has the acting prowess of Tommy Wiseau: vacant stares and melodramatic reactions, anybody?

 

Gerwig struggles to portray the erratic decisions and peculiarities of such a flawed character. This is not entirely her fault – it is impossible to portray a poorly written character. As the picture progresses, it becomes crystal clear to us that it is her writer-director’s fault. 

 

Why would someone of Gerwig’s caliber choose such a turkey? Put simply, she has always tended to select this variety of independent fare: the low-budget offbeat (sometimes romantic) comedy where she plays an eccentric lead, alongside idiosyncratic characters who exhibit a bizarre sense of humour.

 

 

Did she miss working with fresh talent after all that Hollywood fame? Perhaps. This is an actress who enjoys taking risks. It’s just a shame this one didn’t pay off.

 

Even the most talented actor’s CV contains flops. Hopefully, this will be poor Greta’s first and last. 

 

 

 

 

Stars - ★

 

 

Reviewed by Rehan Mudannayake

 

 

 

 

 

Lola Versus (2012)

 

Comedy

 

Dumped by her boyfriend just three weeks before their wedding, Lola enlists her close friends for a series of adventures she hopes will help her come to terms with approaching 30 as a single woman.

 

Director: Daryl Wein

 

Writers: Daryl Wein (screenplay), Zoe Lister Jones (screenplay)

 

Stars: Greta Gerwig, Zoe Lister Jones and Hamish Linklater 

 

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15kG87BW22Y