Worst Friends (2014 film)

Worst Friends is an American comedy film, written, produced and directed by Ralph Arend and starring Richard Tanne, Noah Barrow, Kristen Connolly, and Cody Horn, with Larry Fessenden, Geoffrey Arend, and Kathryn Erbe. It was released on November 4, 2014.[1]

Worst Friends
DVD cover
Directed byRalph Arend
Produced by
Screenplay byRalph Arend
Starring
Music byMike Fiore
CinematographyVincent Peone
Edited byJoe Lindquist
Distributed byLevel 33 Entertainment
Release date
  • November 4, 2014 (2014-11-04)
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Plot

Worst Friends has been described as a dark Indie comedy. The film is set in an unnamed New Jersey suburb and focuses around a number of key characters. The film opens explaining the close but troubled friendship of two young boys.[2]

It explores the role of friendships when a traumatic incident takes place and how there can be a fine line between help and dependence. Jake (Richard Tanne) is a young man suffering traumatic injuries after he is hit by a car. He turns to his childhood friend Sam (Noah Barrow) for support and to help him recover.[3]

A physical therapist (Cody Horn) is enlisted and begins to help Sam with Jake's recovery. Sam and Jake's friendship takes a turn for the worse when Sam's childhood sweetheart, Zoe (Kristen Connolly), returns to town. Her presence becomes a true test of Sam and Jake's friendship.[4]

Cast
  • Richard Tanne as Jake, the lead character who suffers traumatic injuries
  • Noah Barrow as Sam, Jake's best friend who comes to aid him after the injury
  • Kristen Connolly as Zoe, Sam's childhood sweetheart, who moves back to town following Jake's injury

Production

The concept of the plot was taken from Richard Tanne's own experiences in 2010. While recovering from an injury in his home state of New Jersey, Tanne reconnected with filmmakers Ralph Arend and Noah Barrow and the idea generated traction over the coming weeks.[3]

On July 28, 2010, the producers launched a Kickstarter campaign aiming to make $11,000 to fund the film. By August 11, 2010, the campaign had raised over $17,000.[5]

Following the online premiere of the trailer, it was announced by Deadline that Level 33 Entertainment would be distributing the film across North America.[6][1]

The film was then released on November 4, 2014 through video on-demand and DVD.[7][8]

Reception

The film received mainly positive reviews following its launch in 2014.[9]

In its review, Yes! Weekly described the film as a “loose, likeable comedy” with a “fun cast.” Actor Larry Fessenden was singled out for “amusingly channeling Jack Nicholson.”[10]

Videoviews.org awarded the film 3 1/2 out of 5 stars and wrote, "Worst Friends is a simple story but the acting and well-written dialogue take it up a notch."[11]

Spectrum Culture reviewed the film in 2014, stating the film covered the harsh realities of some friendships and praised the film’s opening for its effective storytelling, but ultimately only awarded the film 2 out of 5 stars.[2]

References
  1. "Indie Comedy 'Worst Friends' Lands At Level 33". Deadline Hollywood. July 2, 2014.
  2. Kamal, Nathan. "A review of Worst Friends". Spectrum Culture.
  3. Marzullo, Katie. "Indie Comedy 'Worst Friends' Features Some Old Friends". Young Hollywood.
  4. Siegemund-Broka, Austin (July 3, 2014). "'Worst Friends' Indie Comedy Finds North American Distributor". The Hollywood Reporter.
  5. "Worst Friends". Kickstarter. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
  6. "Trailer for the Indie Comedy 'Worst Friends' Teases Something Special! - Schmoes Know..." Retrieved September 22, 2015.
  7. "Dark Comedy Worst Friends Arrives on Demand and DVD in November". Alien Bee. October 21, 2014.
  8. ""Worst Friends" Tries to Make Friends on DVD". Film Arcade.
  9. "Worst Friends (2014)". Rotten Tomatoes.
  10. "[VIDEO VAULT]". yesweekly.com. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
  11. "Videoviews". www.videoviews.org. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
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