People tend to behave differently when they’re on vacation -- it's the the whole “what happens in Vegas” trope. Being away from home is a break from reality even if you have to be home on Monday for work. But it doesn’t actually change reality. Your actions can still have implications beyond your trip not to mention puncturing the bliss in the moment. Something like dropping a baby, for example, can definitely ruin the vibe…
In The Drop (co-written with Joshua Leonard) we follow Lex (Anna Konkle) and Mani (Jermaine Fowler) as they travel to Mexico for the wedding of Mia (Aparna Nancherla) and Peggy (Jennifer LaFleur). When Lex drops Mia’s just after their arrival, the mood sours and tension bubbles to the surface, especially since Lex and Mani are struggling to conceive themselves.
The film is executive produced by the Duplass brothers who have great taste in independent film so the team is strong. The film is from writer/director Sarah Adina Smith and co-written and co-starring Joshua Leonard whose recent film Fully Realized Humans is a terrific delight and a great framework for what to expect here. The cast is led by Konkle, best known for TFE's beloved comedy series Pen15. In addition to the always hilarious Aparna Nancherla, the supporting cast includes other fantastic comedians like Robin Thede, Utkarsh Ambudkar, and Jillian Bell.
The ensemble of this self-described cringe comedy is what really makes it work, but it also boasts a great script and generally peculiar tone that makes it even more enjoyable. It’s less about the drop itself than the way people respond to it, reminiscent of Force Majeure where couples begin to discuss whether their spouses would be capable of such an action. Fortunately, there’s enough humor, and even a bit of drama, to make the cringing worthwhile. B+
The Drop makes its world premiere in the US Narrative Competition at the 2022 Tribeca Festival.