Band Aid (2017)

Band Aid is a charming indie comedy-drama that should hit home with most viewers. Most married couples or just ones in long-term relationships should identify with the situation of a couple who argue and fight over so many little things, that amount to bigger things, that lead to contempt and passive aggressive behavior that simmers until it boils over and can potentially destroy a relationship.

The couple here, Anna and Ben, one day go to a birthday party one of their friends throws for their own little child. While playing around with the kids, they rediscover their love for music and songwriting and even more importantly, a way to communicate without wanting to kill each other.

Zoe Lister-Jones (Arranged, Breaking Upwards, Lola Versus, TV’s Friends with Better Lives, New Girl) both stars and directs here and does both in a charming and intelligent way, with the necessary sensitivity for making this film be both touching and funny, as well as relatable and real. Her on-screen husband and partner-in-song is Adam Pally (Search Party, Night Owls, Slow Learners, Don’t Think Twice, TV’s Happy Endings, The Mindy Project), who is absolutely fantastic in this. He has already proven his comedic chops on many occasions in other films and on TV, but he is developing into an amazing dramatic actor with a bright future and is simply a joy to watch. The third (drumming) arm of the band is portrayed by Fred Armisen (Eurotrip, The Little Hours, Battle of the Sexes, TV’s Crank Yankers, Saturday Night Live, Portlandia) in a usual creepy yet charming performance.

The supporting cast is rounded out by cameos from Susie Essman (Keeping the Faith, TV’s Curb Your Enthusiasm), Hannah Simone (Old Boy 2013, Miss India America, TV’s New Girl), Ravi Patel (TV’s Grandfathered and Wrecked) and Brooklyn Decker (Just Go with It, Battleship, What to Expect When You’re Expecting, Casual Encounters).

While this film deals with some very serious, sometimes tragic, issues, it does so with a certain sensitivity and care, though without pulling any punches and its raw quality is a huge part of its charm.

In an interview with Lister-Jones, which I read recently, she spoke about the fact that this film was made with an all-female crew. While an admirable cause and awesome side-story, it is not the reason as to why this film is so great and such a big achievement for Lister-Jones and company.

I thoroughly enjoyed it and I feel most of you who will give it a chance, will feel the same way. 8/10.