Adult Beginners

Released: 2014

MPAA Rating: R

Running time: 1 hr. 32 min.

Based on the cast in this movie, you would sort of expect a somewhat crazy comedy.  Several cast members from TV's "The League" were involved in the writing, producing and

directing, so it's a fair expectation.  What you get instead is an examination of people who are entering a challenging part of their lives without having grown up at all.  The main plotline

follows Jake (Nick Kroll), a big shot in the tech industry, who finds his latest project crashes and burns.  Having invested his own money, he finds himself completely broke and needs

to move back into his family home, now owned by his sister, Justine (Rose Byrne), and her husband, Danny (Bobby Cannavale). Jake really has nothing to offer them in return

for their hospitality, so he brokers a deal to provide daytime child care for their son, a job he is woefully unqualified for.  It is properly billed as a comedy, but it is much more than that. 

Sure, there are definitely funny scenes. but it is a well-written, well-acted and well-directed story of people who have been adults for a very long time, but are just now learning how.  It

plays very much like an indie comedy/drama, and that's a good thing.  It's a nice semi-departure for many of the talent involved.

Grade: B