Watch Don't Read This on a Plane

Don't Read This on a Plane is a 2020 indie comedy that follows a struggling writer named Mafalda (Sophie Desmarais) as she embarks on a chaotic, last-minute trip to Amsterdam with her eccentric friend Avellaneda (Julia Strowski). The film is shot as a mockumentary-style vlog, with Mafalda filming her experiences for her YouTube channel in the hopes of finally gaining some success as a writer.

The film opens with Mafalda at her lowest point - rejected from every literary agent she's contacted and virtually homeless after breaking up with her long-term boyfriend. Avellaneda, a flamboyant and impulsive free spirit, swoops in with the idea to travel to Amsterdam for the weekend to attend a mysterious "poetry festival" she's heard about. Despite Mafalda's initial reluctance and lack of funds, Avellaneda convinces her to go, promising a fun and inspiring adventure.

Once in Amsterdam, chaos ensues. Avellaneda proves to be a terrible travel companion, dragging Mafalda into all sorts of ridiculous situations - from getting lost in the red light district to accidentally smoking weed-laced "space cake". Mafalda also struggles with her own insecurities as a writer, feeling inferior to the other festival attendees and doubting whether she can ever truly make it in the literary world.

Throughout the film, the audience is treated to glimpses of Mafalda's vlog, which showcases her attempts to find inspiration for her writing in Amsterdam's culture and scenery. Her vlog segments are interspersed with talking head interviews from Avellaneda and other festival attendees, as well as candid footage of the two friends bickering and getting into mischief.

One of the standout performances in the film comes from Susanna Dekker, who plays Ingrid - a successful Dutch poet who takes Mafalda under her wing at the festival. Ingrid offers Mafalda advice on writing and navigating the publishing industry, as well as a much-needed boost of confidence. Her character serves as a sort of mentor figure to Mafalda, and their scenes together provide some of the film's most poignant and genuine moments.

Overall, Don't Read This on a Plane is a quirky and lighthearted film that offers a fresh take on the classic "travel buddy comedy" genre. The vlog format adds a layer of realism to the story, making it feel like we are experiencing the events of the movie alongside the characters. While the humor can be hit-or-miss at times, the film's heart is in the right place, and it's impossible not to root for Mafalda as she navigates her writer's block and her friendship with Avellaneda.

If you're a fan of indie comedies with a heartwarming message, Don't Read This on a Plane is definitely worth checking out.

Don't Read This on a Plane is a 2020 adventure movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 27 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.0.