Laggies

Laggies presents a relatable yet frustrating look at adulthood. It captures the quarter-life crisis of a young woman who feels adrift in a world that expects her to have it all figured out.

A Delayed Coming of Age

The film follows Megan Burch, played by Keira Knightley, a 28-year-old caught in her own quarter-life crisis. Overeducated and underemployed, she finds herself lagging behind her peers who seem to have their lives together. In a panic, after her high-school sweetheart proposes, she escapes to the home of 16-year-old Annika, played by Chloë Grace Moretz, and Annika's single dad, Craig (Sam Rockwell). As Megan navigates her temporary refuge, the film explores themes of friendship, identity, and the challenges of growing up.

Notable Performances, Some Misses

Keira Knightley delivers a solid performance as Megan, embodying the character's confusion and reluctance to embrace adulthood. Chloë Grace Moretz shines as Annika, bringing a youthful energy that contrasts with Megan's stagnation. Sam Rockwell is largely underutilized as Craig, not fully exploring the potential depth of his character. While the chemistry between the leads is engaging, some supporting characters, like Kaitlyn Dever's Misty, feel somewhat one-dimensional and fail to leave a lasting impression.

Indie Vibes, Unsteady Pacing

Directed by Lynn Shelton, Laggies has a laid-back, indie feel typical of mumblecore films. The direction suits the story's tone, but it occasionally lacks the visual flair that could elevate the mundane settings. The cinematography is straightforward, providing a realistic backdrop for the characters' interactions, but it also contributes to the film's slow pacing, which can be a drag at times. While some scenes capture authentic moments of connection, others meander without clear narrative purpose, leaving the viewer yearning for more.

Hearts in a Slow Dance

Watching Laggies is a mixed bag; there are moments of genuine warmth, particularly in the interactions between Megan and Annika, but the pacing often lags, causing frequent dips in engagement. The film tackles relatable themes of uncertainty and self-discovery, yet it sometimes gets bogged down with repetitive scenes that feel unnecessary. The emotional weight is there but can be overshadowed by moments that seem to stall rather than advance the story, leading to frustration as one waits for the plot to pick up.