'I Used To Go Here' A Review

I Used To Go Here is a dramedy about a 30-something author Kate(Gillian Jacobs) who has recently broken off her engagement and whose first novel's sales are bad. After her book tour is cancelled her old professor David(Jemaine Clement) invites her down to her alma mater to give a reading and meet with students which she excitedly accepts.

Jacobs certainly puts in a commendable effort but lacks the range to make this somewhat underwritten character in a pre-mature mid-life crisis particularly relatable or interesting. The supporting cast fares significantly better with Clement playing a delightfully pathetic narcissist, Zoë Chao as Laura Kate's best friend is the only believable(and funny) adult in the movie, and all the college students are played authentically and with energy. The problem falls mostly with the lead who comes across as searching but immature and self-involved, not a particularly empathetic main character, it's possible this is solely the result of Jacobs casting but the going-back-to-college-to-find-your-way trope doesn't help much either.

Competently shot and scored, with some great on location sites in Chicago and SIU in Carbondale the movie looks and feels good and there is some wonderful performances, scenes, and vignettes but ultimately the story struggles to answer one of the most important and basic questions "why care".

Currently available to rent on most VOD platforms.

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