Best Friends Forever (2013)
Cast includes: Brea Grant (Homecoming), Vera Miao (Into the Game)
Writers/Director: Brea Grant, Vera Miao (first feature film)
Genre: Drama (113 minutes)
“Come on, one more song. It’s a party.” Reba loves to party, but Harriet… not so much. “I know I’m not supposed to ask this, but what was it like in there? The institution.” Why can’t people let Harriet move on? No wonder she doesn’t love this party. [Hours Until Disaster: 53] The next morning, as Harriet packs, there’s talk about the apocalypse on the radio. “Shit. I’ve got to get out of here,” says Reba as she jumps out of bed. “When you get back, we can hang out,” says the guy. “Why?” asks Reba. She’s commitment-free, and that’s the way she likes it. Finally, the best friends hit the road, leaving LA… modern day Thelma & Louise. “I’m gonna open your eyes. Texas has so much to offer.” Harriet is excited about this new phase of her life… going to graduate school and becoming a librarian in Austin TX. “This is your plan,” says Reba… she’s going back to LA after Harriet gets settled. Harriet worries about Reba’s inability to commit. “What about Ian?” Too needy… “I don’t chase.”
Anyway, the trip has been “authentic” so far. Sleeping in a tent has left Reba “literally speechless.” In the morning, there’s an ominous glow in the sky, but apparently, the gals aren’t looking in the rearview mirror. [Hours Until Disaster: 31] Harriet still wants to talk about Reba’s commitment issues. “Hey, we’re not on girl time! This isn’t Oprah.” They’re taking back roads… so maybe that explains those guys in gas masks. Texas is nothing like LA, but Harriet hopes to convince Reba to stay in Austin. “You’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.” That’s the message Harriet has written on the post-it note, and she truly believes it. When Reba tries to call her mom, she finds there’s no phone service… no phone service anywhere. “The air’s terrible here… yeah, the sky looks a little crazy.”
“I’m gonna go out on a limb and say this has been the worst road trip ever.” If the gals weren’t so busy being Thelma & Louise, they might have noticed what everyone else seems to know already… “total disaster” is imminent. One hates to jump to conclusions, but folks in Texas can be seriously strange. Why is everyone talking about the apocalypse? Best Friends Forever is the feature-film writing and directorial debut for Brea Grant and Vera Miao, who play Harriet and Reba. It’s part drama, part buddy film and part disaster film. It takes us into some dark places, but the clever dialog provides moments of humor. By the time the gals realize that their world has literally changed forever, their friendship has taken some hard hits. The whole world has gone crazy, and now their Thelma & Louise act seem to be blowing apart, too. It’s ironic that Harriet keeps saying, “You’re exactly where you’re supposed to be” OMG!
1 popped kernels
With the apocalypse imminent, best friends on a road trip discover the value of true friendship
Popcorn Profile
Audience: Young adults
Distribution: Art house
Mood: Sober
Tempo: Cruises comfortably
Visual Style: Unvarnished realism
Primary Driver: Plot development
Language: True to life
Social Significance: Pure entertainment
