Watch Golden Exits

Golden Exits is a 2017 independent film directed by Alex Ross Perry, starring Emily Browning, Adam Horovitz, Mary-Louise Parker, Lily Rabe, and Jason Schwartzman among others. The movie premiered at the Sundance Film festival to mostly positive reviews, with critics admiring the film's understated exploration of complex emotions. The plot of the film revolves around the interconnected lives of two families living in Brooklyn. Nick, a young Australian, has come to the city to work as an archivist for a wealthy family, the Harrises. He moves temporarily into the guesthouse of the Ginzbergs- a family he has a pre-existing relationship with. There, he begins to form a relationship with Naomi, the wife of Adam Horovitz's character Gabe. Naomi, a young and dissatisfied woman, is drawn to Nick's mystique and finds solace in his quiet nature. Meanwhile, everyone around them struggles to handle their own conflicts in their lives, including Gabe's sister who adamantly disapproves of her brother's involvement with Naomi. The film has a structure of a meditative tone that a viewer can feel throughout the movie. Through slow-paced conversations and poignant silences, Perry explores the intricacies of human relationships and emotions. Golden Exits is an introspective and slow-burning film that does not rely on plot turns or set pieces to hold your attention, but rather allows the viewer to dive deeper and explore character arcs to gain a better understanding of the human psyche. The movie's presentation is characterized by muted colors, somberly lit interiors, and understated cinematography that evokes a sense of melancholy. The film's soundtrack is equally soft and tender, with clever usage of music to set up each scene's appropriate mood. The film's narrative relies heavily on dialogue, and the screenplay is peppered with understated humor that complements the sharpness in the dialogues. Emily Browning delivers an excellent performance as Nick's seemingly coy and quiet love interest Naomi. She plays a complex character with ease, and her character's restless desire for something more in life is always subtly portrayed on her face. She shares a great onscreen chemistry with Adam Horovitz, whose portrayal of Gabe is nuanced and complicated. Mary-Louise Parker is brilliant as Gabe's sister-in-law, who is convinced that Gabe's involvement with Naomi will lead to the destruction of the family. Lily Rabe, as Gabe's wife, renders an emotionally charged performance that feels genuine and heartfelt. Overall, Golden Exits is a masterfully crafted film that offers a poignant reminder of the power of great dialogue, relationships, and music in filmmaking. It's an understated yet incredibly profound exploration of life and its constant battles. It's the type of movie that stays with you long after the credits have ended, a never-ending cycle of emotions and human connections that you can't shake off no matter how hard you try.