Somebody Up There Likes Me with Chris Pratt, Nick Offerman, and Bob Byington @ Cinefamily Theater, 3/15/13
If you like your humor quirky with a side of magical realism, then writer-director Bob Byington’s film Somebody Up There Likes Me, will charm. At Friday’s Cinefamily screening in Los Angeles, this offbeat slice of life was augmented by a fun Q&A with co-star and producer Nick Offerman (Parks and Rec) and director Byington, moderated by another Parks and Rec alum, Chris Pratt.
A stellar example of indie filmmaking at it’s best – short, sweet, different yet relatable, Somebody covers 35 years in the life of Max Youngman (Keith Poulson), his friend Sal (Offerman), and the woman they both care about – and Max marries, Lyla (Jess Weixler).
Possibly due to a magical suitcase, the characters don’t age physically, although they do pass through the portals of life, love, sex, and business together.
The film’s episodic, pleasantly surreal feel is reminiscent of the films of French indie filmmaker Quentin Dupieux (Wrong, Rubber, Wrong Cops), witty, off-beat, sarcastic, and hard to pin down. Somebody has a light heart, a sure touch, and a terrific, catchy score by Chris Baio of Vampire Weekend.
During the q&a an audience member suggested the film had the feel of Carnal Knowledge. Offerman parried that he wasn’t familiar with that – “the film, not the knowledge. I know all about that…”
Shot in Austin in 26 summer days, according to Offerman the shoot was “hot.” The film itself was – cool. Catch it while you can in the theater, or on iTunes or VOD.