[rating:3.5/5]
Preceded by the dark short “Wild Horses,” writer and director Jenée LaMarque creates a strangely engaging story about two very different sisters in “The Pretty One.”
Zoe Kazan of “Ruby Sparks” plays the twins: Audrey, the more beautiful and adored, and Laurel, the “strange little bird,” who wishes to be more like her sister. By an unfortunate twist of fate, Laurel gets just what she wants, a chance to be her sister. Thanks to LaMarque’s quirky script and solid performances from its lead actors, “The Pretty One” comes across as an oddball little indie that delights.
When Laurel unexpectedly loses her sister, she suffers an intense case of identity crisis. Post-traumatic amnesia from a devastating car crash leads her to embody the bubbly and more hip version of herself: her dead twin Audrey.
Although she ultimately does remember which twin she really is, she chooses to quite literally take a walk in her sister’s shoes and live her life for a while. She finds love in her neighbor Blaze (played by Jack Johnson from “New Girl”) and tries to figure out the person she really wants to become.
Although the premise is a bit of a strain, the film keeps its weird, funny vibe with the lead actors. Kazan’s sincerity and awkwardness lead the film away from being a tragic tale of loss. Johnson cruises through the film with charm and sarcasm. As their problematic relationship strengthens, Johnson shows greater emotional depth than what he usually encompasses in his breakout role on television.
The film tends to be a bit shifty in tone. Abruptly moving from sweetly awkward moments by Kazan to deeply emotional rifts over her twin’s death. Thankfully, the film keeps its witty demeanor and spares the audience any terribly painful dwellings in death and loss. Laced with endearment and heart, “The Pretty One” has a lot to offer as a strange and offbeat indie about finding yourself.
