Paddleton (2019) | Film Review

An emotional journey between a dying guy and the other guy, Duplass Brothers Productions is at it again, with what might be their best film to date.

Ray Romano and Mark Duplass star as neighbors in this dramedy on Netflix, Paddleton. The two have a remarkable friendship, but there’s only one problem: Michael (Duplass) has cancer. With his friend Andy (Romano) by his side, Michael wants to end his life before the cancer does using prescribed pills. A hundred of them, I guess.

The film opens with a really strong, emotional, and yet amusing scene of Michael and Andy at the doctor’s office being referred to an oncologist, before cutting to opening credits. The duplicity of this scene is a clear representation of everything you can expect for the remainder of the movie, and is a quick grab of the audience’s attention as we’re swarmed into their world.

There’s something to be said about filmmakers who can toss you into their characters’ world without prior context and allow you to just sit along for the ride and enjoy it. Mark Duplass and co-writer and director, Alex Lehmann, know that the content they have for their viewers is enough to keep us around, so the bold choice is ultimately an effective one. Mark Duplass, with co-writer and director Alex Lehmann, know that the content they have for their viewers is enough to keep us around. This bold choice turn out to ultimately be an effective one. The two also rely on the dialogue between Andy and Michael to further the narrative and to express their companionship. This is another great choice because it gives us an opportunity to really invest in these men’s lives and who the characters are – but more importantly, who they are to each other.

An unexpected friendship that has led them to a life of pizza, puzzles, and movies together – Andy and Michael are in it for the long haul of friendship. They know each other so well and show such comfort with each other, that while on their road trip to get the ‘kill me faster and less painful’ meds, the hotel front desk is asking if they would rather have one king bed. Naturally funny moments with Ray Romano doing his best Ray Romano, and interacting with Mark Duplass being a more grounded Mark Duplass, is the culmination of comedy and drama that just – works.

At this point, you might be wondering – what the hell is ‘Paddleton’? Where did this name come from? Isn’t this a kids movie from a few years ago? Well, au contraire. Paddleton is a game that Andy and Michael made up, which is like a mix of paddleball and racquetball – but for poor people with no gym membership. Going to the drive-in theater that is no more, for a game of Paddleton is just another way Andy and Michael bonded together.

Speaking of which, just after the opening credits, there’s a rather beautiful scene with Andy and Michael playing Paddleton, our first visual of this game. Slow motion is often over-used or ineffective, but the slow motion of the game-playing paired with the choice of music to show us the intimacy of their friendship truly helps bring the characters and movie alive.

There’s a very fluid progression to the story that makes us feel like we’re on this journey with them and doesn’t leave you with moments of checking your watch. While there’s nothing that is ground-breaking in the cinematography or directing outside of the aforementioned, the performances and story are compelling enough to keep you invested from fade in to fade out. Duplass’s Andy has a scene towards the end that will have you crying that river Justin Timberlake always asked for.

Although, I’m still trying to find out why the medication needed to come in the form of 100 tiny capsules rather than just a big one, but I suppose I’ll have to take that up with big pharma. If I haven’t done my due diligence on selling you on this yet, let me tell you it’s worth it for the jokes and hysterical shirts Michael wears at the very least.

With a solid story from beginning to the very end – concluding exactly where it needed to – Paddleton is here to remind us what being a supportive and loving friend genuinely looks like, what being human looks like, and a closer look at an extremely controversial topic in the medical community from the afflicted person’s perspective.

Arguably the bromance movie of the year, Paddleton will leave you with an empty box of tissues, calling your best friend.

Paddleton is now streaming on Netflix
Starring Mark Duplass and Ray Romano 
Screenplay by Mark Duplass and Alex Lehmann
Directed by Alex Lehmann