Watch 35 and Ticking

"35 and Ticking" is a romantic comedy film that explores what life looks like for four friends in their mid-thirties, who are all feeling the pressure and anxieties that come with approaching that age milestone. Victoria, Zenobia, Phil, and Cleavon are childhood friends who grew up together in the Los Angeles area. The story takes a look at how they're navigating life as they face feelings of inadequacy, questioning their purpose, and putting their dreams on hold for relationships and work. The film kicks off with a flashback of the quartet as children, and then we seamlessly transition into their adult lives. Victoria (played by Tamala Jones) works in the news industry as a highly successful journalist, but she's always had a chip on her shoulder because she doesn't have the "traditional" family dynamic that many people have by that point in life. She hasn't found the right man, hasn't gotten married or had children, and, as a result, she doesn't know if she'll ever achieve those life goals. Zenobia (played by Nicole Ari Parker) is Victoria's best friend and is becoming more frustrated each day by the ongoing stagnation of her boyfriend's career. She is beginning to feel antsy about their lack of progress as it pertains to their relationship goals. She wants to get married and have children, yet her boyfriend seems content with the way things have been progressing, and that frustrates her. Phil (played by Kevin Hart) is stumbling in his life, feeling aimless, and struggling with his identity. His sense of self-worth has taken a hit since he's been unable to find an answer in his love life or great strides in his film career. Lastly, Cleavon (played by Keith Robinson) is a ladies' man who is 35 years old yet still struggling to grow up. Despite their many differences, Victoria, Zenobia, Phil, and Cleavon all share the same fear, which is that they might never find romantic happiness. As they watch their coupled-up friends seemingly pass them by with ease, they start to wonder if they'll end up lonely and unmarried forever. As such, the group of friends come together and decide to test a theory that they've heard a lot: If you haven't found "the one" by the time you're 35, you might as well sit back and make peace with the fact that you're going to be single for the rest of your life. The group makes a bet to see who can find true love first. They all have different strategies to guarantee success. Victoria decides to date a younger man named Antoine, hoping that a shift in the type of man she dates would lead to her finding someone compatible. Zenobia is open to exploring new horizons while being more assertive about her desires. Phil decides that it's time to stop all the partying and hooking up with random women and decides to focus on his blossoming relationship with Coco (played by Meagan Good), an ex-girlfriend who's now seeing someone else. Lastly, Cleavon decides to break his womanizer habit and be as genuine as possible in his pursuit of true love. The film then chronicles their individual journeys as they each navigate their way through various obstacles to come out on the other side with the one they want to spend the rest of their lives with. The film's main strength is its excellent humor, which is consistent throughout the runtime, making the characterizations all the more endearing. The humor ranges from witty banter to moments of slapstick humor, providing enough variety to engage and entertain the viewers. Throughout the film, the transitions are smooth and complement the excellent storytelling. The minor flaws, including predictable plot points and a few underdeveloped side characters, are overshadowed by the strong performances from the lead actors. In summary, "35 and Ticking" is a genuinely heartwarming and funny film that touches on the fears and anxieties that come with approaching age 35. It's a fresh and thoughtful take on the romantic comedy genre with well-chosen performers giving authentic and engaging performances. It's definitely worth checking out for anyone who enjoys a good laugh and a heartfelt story with characters that quickly feel like old friends.