Skills Like This

Director:  Monty Miranda

The movie opens with writer Max Solomon watching a play of his performed, a play so bad it gives his grandfather a heart attack. The next day, his 25th birthday, Max has to face the terrible truth that he is a terrible writer. The dream he gave up his job and everything else to pursue was not to be. Now what?  While sulking over lunch with his two best friends Tommy and Dave, talk turns whimsically to robbing the bank next door.  In a burst of artistic inspiration, Max does just that.  He grabs shades and a hat, dashes in and out of the bank, robbing it with a gun pulled from the daydreaming guard without ever threatening anyone, and makes it back before his friends finish lunch.  At this, it turns out he is quite talented.

The realization that he is indeed good at something rejuvenates his passion for life.  He finds himself unafraid to pursue the teller Lucy that he made a connection with during the robbery who recognizes him later at a bar, and unafraid to keep stealing.  The zest he gains from taking risks inspires both his friends, one thrilled by what he has done, one terrified, to eventually take risks in their own lives.  In one’s case such a risk means quitting a well paying job he’s miserable in, in the other’s it’s actually interviewing for jobs to finally get his life on track and get out of his mom’s basement.

“Skills Like This” is hysterical and original.  The dialogue, the characters, the performances, the story, the relationships, the humor, the quarter life crises and self realizations are all quite excellent.  But it’s not pure fluff or a cakewalk, the risks, especially from the thefts, do come at a price.  Overall this winner of the Audience Award at South by Southwest is inventive, memorable, charming, well paced, enjoyable, and honestly just a treat to watch.  “Skills Like This” is simply skillfully done.

Lucy Cruell