I used ReelGood's Netflix roulette to find a movie to watch, and my only disappointment with this movie is from the fact that the genre I selected was "Thriller" which this most definitely was not. I kept expecting some sort of mystery or twist that would make this drama into a thriller, and it never came, but I'm still glad I watched it because this film was one of the rare movies that doesn't enlist tons of predictable cliches. The story follows former high school sweethearts as they reconnect after twenty years. The residual feelings between the two characters are evident right away and throughout the film you watch those feelings spark and rekindle. A typical hollywood romance would find an easy out of the predicament that Amanda is married, like her husband is negligent or abusive, but this movie doesn't do that. Instead, even though because of their chemistry and palpable desire you want to see them reconnect physically, you also don't because of the moral issues regarding her marriage. Though the final revelation that the couple was driven apart following an abortion is predictable in the moments leading up to it, the scene is still incredibly relatable. Everything about this story feels authentic and engaging. Though it is not terribly exciting, it is realistic. Even Jim's foolish notion that had Amanda not gone through with the abortion the couple could have been so happy together is genuine and understandable, given that people who are disappointed with their lives often think if one thing could have gone differently in their lives, they may have had the perfect life they fantasize about--even though if what they wanted to happen had, they would ultimately have found the fantasy still unattainable. The story, characters, and emotions were so real, so even though the movie wasn't thrilling, it was still beautiful and interestingly complex.

I confess upfront that I have no idea who Marc Duplass is and if I should be impressed in any way. I just selected this movie hoping in a decent story, since I am a big fan of the "Before" trilogyThe two main (an basically only) characters in the story are Jim and Amanda, ex high-school sweethearts who meet after 20 year. They both moved out of their small town. Jim is back because his mum died and Amanda because her sister is pregnant.They take a walk down memory lane, starting with a coffee at the Blue Jay of the title and from there on their conversation veers from awkward to boring, to bizarre and back to boring again.Turns out it is not so easy to write and perform lines that seem improvised but are actually carefully scripted. While in the "Before" movies conversation flows beautifully and the actors seem to have a connection, here Jim is plain weird. He is also a liar and keeps touching his beard (which is very annoying).Amanda also lies, but I guess it's normal that neither would admit their lives are not turning out that great. Still, the tape with their super-weird conversation register 20 years previously sounds like a mega fake. Honestly, who would register anything like that?It just get worse with the role play that follows. Everything looks staged and fake and the leads have zero chemistry. Good black & white photography, though.

I know black and white is supposed to be artsy and mood creating, but I'm a color kind of guy, sorry. I also felt like they both played the awkwardness too hard at the beginning. And, as usual for me, I'd like a bit more background details up front- about both characters, and more scenes from around the town. Finally the ending was not my kind...........maybe not a live happily ever after, but at least SOMETHING!

You never get over your first love. This is a story about Amanda and Jim. Reconnecting after two decades apart. They spend the day together reconnecting, falling in love, and opening up old wounds.I love the well-written, dialogue-driven films and when these types of films are done well they rock! It's probably why I love Richard Linklater so much as this film fits his style and this film reminds me of "Before Sunset" which is one of his films; and boy does this film deliver.Sarah Paulson and Mark Duplass knock it out of the park. They were amazing. The chemistry felt so real and just worked on all levels. Also, the choice of making the film black and white really added to the film's atmosphere. The only thing I didn't like about this film was the abrupt ending. But that can be forgiven as it isn't about the destination, it's about the journey getting there that really counts. And like I said this film delivers. This film is definitely worth checking out and you can find it on Netflix. You will not regret watching it.