'Results' A Review

Results is an independent dramedy about a a listless newly rich 40 something Danny(Kevin Corrigan) who attempts to turn things around by joining a gym and somewhat befriends personal trainers Kat(Cobie Smulders) then Trevor(Guy Pearce). What follows is one part awkward comedy, one part inspirational montage, and one part coming-of-middle-age drama.

All three lead performances are excellent. Corrigan, in one of his few lead performances, conveys an incredible amount with an understated pathetic silence. Allowing a fearless and clear look at his disheveled melancholic character while still maintaining his ever present likability. Smulders the focul point of Pearce and Corrigan's romantic interest has a somewhat more difficult job but is able to create a compelling, edgy almost-thirty-something who feels stuck. Pearce gives the most subtle interesting performance, a gym owner with his own specific brand of self-help philosphey that he absolutely believes in, while also being relatively lonely and emotionally reserved.

The film is punctuated by fun bizarre characters who flavor the three leads interactions and progress the leisurely plot, most notably by Anthony Michael Hall as intense nihilistic uber-trainer Grigory. Although visually relatively sedate there are odd yet pleasing moments of the various characters "visualizing" their goals or being visited by prescient visions. Its so understated it can easily be ignored but adds something special to an already intriguing film.

The only detractor is a somewhat typical and convenient ending as well as a somewhat unexplainable sense of unactualized promise. The performances soar, the narrative meanders.

A great character study, a decent story.

Rent It.