Band Aid Movie Review (2017)
An indie comedy about a couple who turn their arguments into songs, Band Aid is a clever and offbeat idea with an execution and tone that never quite connect.
My husband and I were big fans of the show Life In Pieces. We loved the ensemble of actors, got a kick out of the humor, and are now rewatching it with our kids. During my first viewing, I’d seen Zoe Lister-Jones in one or two other things, and I remember being glad that she was part of the ensemble. There’s a vibe to her that I like, so when I came across this movie, I had to check it out.
Band Aid is about Anna and Ben, a married couple who frequently argue. Both lovers of music, they decide to turn their arguments into songs. Breaking out the instruments, they realize that they need a drummer and turn to their odd neighbor to fill the spot.
I really wanted to like this movie. It’s a great concept, and knowing that Zoe Lister-Jones wrote, directed, and stars in it, I was totally open to having a great experience. I still like the idea, but either the execution missed me, or the comedy isn’t my humor.
There is not a lot to the story, although the dynamic between Anna and Ben is exceptionally realistic. Little things set them off (i.e., dishes), sex is on the table, but no one is all that interested, and they’ve experienced traumas together that they don’t know how to process, so they don’t. Anna tells her parents things about her life, while Ben tries to protect his mother and Anna by not sharing with his mom.
The music element is a good time. Several songs have catchy tunes and funny lyrics. As a bonus, Lister-Jones and Adam Pally both have nice voices and play the guitar and bass, respectively. It’s very cool to watch (and listen to) them make real music and perform together, along with drummer Fred Armisen.
My biggest issue with Band Aid is the unevenness of the narrative. The first half of the movie is silly and sets up a lot of situational comedy. A few moments are legitimately hilarious, and I found myself laughing out loud. But the story starts to wear thin, and the many scenes of bickering, silliness, and grunt-making improvisation feel repetitive. So by the time I got to the more serious, meatier second half, I was bored and uninvested.
There are a lot of familiar faces, which adds a bump to Band Aid. Short scenes, including two of Lister-Jones’s costars from Life In Pieces (Colin Hanks and Angelique Cabral), Hannah Simone, Ravi Patel, Brooklyn Decker, Jesse Williams, Jamie Chung, and Majandra Delfino, keep the film fresh, but, for me, it wasn’t enough to stay connected. It needed something more.
Runtime: 94 minutes
Motion Picture Rating: R
Languages Spoken In The Film: English
Should You Watch It? Yes, but only because many people enjoy it more than I did
Did I Cry? Nope
My Rating: 2.5/5 Stars
Available: Free on Tubi and Roku, to rent on Prime Video, or may be available for free on other streaming platforms
