On the Count of Three

On the Count of three is a funny and dark new film by Jerrod Carmichael who stars along side Christopher Abbott. There two performances make this one of the best movies of 2022. Both these guys are emotional, layered, funny, and even a little scary and make the movie a great experience for fans of acting. Supporting roles from Henry Winkler, Tiffany Hadish, JB Smoove, and Huel while small, are all played with tip top perfection. This film goes from laugh out loud hilarious to jaw dropping sadness with ease, and not many films can do that. Check this one out, if you wanna watch something new.

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source: On the Count of Three

Solidly directed, splendidly acted, and wholly hilarious and witty while never losing its sharp edge of dark profound observations on life, loss, and purpose. I was surprised how the script manages to handle so many subplots and themes with grace and care, with none of them ever overshadowing the others. The characters are all monumentally flawed, saying and doing things that I certainly didn't agree with, but that's what made for such a satisfying human experience. Tiffany Haddish is in the movie for less than 5 minutes and she manages to portray what is arguably her best character on screen. That alone makes this movie worth checking out.

Feels like an unfinished product, never sure about what it wants to be. I don't even mean in terms of genre, as I guess it's supposed to be a dramedy and fails on that - surprisingly, the funny bits don't work at all! In a film with such a strong and in your-face soundtrack, it's curious that the film doesn't know if it wants to be a full metal piece or just a classical opera and it's on that weird approach to such strong thematics - with a 20 seconds exploration in some cases - that this don't land at all. Good acting from the duo, interesting different perspectives and arcs (even if it feel rushed) and some interesting bits about parallel stories/events, even if it tries too touch in too many subjects at the same time.

This is a decent movie that does a good job making you care about the characters and their struggles. The two leads give great performances and the movie has a good message. It does a nice job portraying the mental health aspects. I chose this movie because the first genre listed is comedy. But it was maybe 5% comedy. And a drama about mental health struggles isn't something I normally go for. If that's a subgenre you enjoy then I think you will like it. (1 viewing, 5/20/2022)

If you enjoy reading my Spoiler-Free reviews, please follow my blog :) Even though On the Count of Three isn't exactly a comedy or a light film based on a silly premise (How It Ends), I did expect humor to play a big part. In this regard, I wasn't disappointed. Christopher Abbott (Possessor) is particularly funny with all his self-debates about taboo matters such as racism and general discrimination, but there are several meaningful messages "hidden" in the seemingly comedic scenes. Let me also praise Jerrod Carmichael for his grounded, emotionally compelling display and for his terrific directing. The actors share impeccable chemistry and transform a supposedly close friendship into something really authentic. Val (Carmichael) and Kevin (Abbott) are incredibly relatable, which could make a movie about committing double suicide a bit dangerous. The screenplay from Ari Katcher and Ryan Welch is carefully written in a way that clearly demonstrates how different people deal with depression, sadness, stress, and so many other aspects in life that bring people down. Fortunately, these characters are built and developed in such a rich, enlightening manner that the ending - while shocking in its essence - works beautifully as a message that life is worth living no matter how tough it might be. This might be a confusing statement to write for people who have already seen the film, but it all has to do with the care that the viewers gain for the protagonists. The first act puts them at equal standpoints regarding suicide, but throughout the runtime, it's shown to the audience what happened in each of their lives. It's the subtle conversations, the apparently insignificant jokes here and there that ultimately turn the climax so emotionally effective. The best compliment I can offer this movie is that the ending - despite being somewhat expected - clearly transmits to the public what's right and wrong. Technically, exceptional camera work from Marshall Adams (beautiful long takes) and an amazing score from Owen Pallett elevate the overall picture. I wish the characters could have been more explored, but having in mind the short runtime, it's truly a great piece of filmmaking. On the Count of Three is one of those films I know I'll undoubtedly rewatch more than just a couple of times. Boasting two phenomenal performances from Christopher Abbott and Jerrod Carmichael (also the director), the genuine chemistry between the two actors elevate a close friendship into something that makes the viewers deeply care about their fate. Tremendous praise to Ari Katcher and Ryan Welch's screenplay, which is definitely the element that makes this movie one of the best I've seen this year. By writing it with extreme care and responsibility, the predictable yet impactful ending doesn't leave a margin for doubts about what's right or wrong. Everyone deals with the bad moments in life differently, but life is always worth living. I felt emotionally invested in the main characters to the point of wishing the film was longer so that the writers could dive deep into these protagonists. Technical shoutouts to the impressive camera work and remarkable score. In the end, I couldn't recommend it more. Rating: A-