Title – In a World… (2013)

Director – Lake Bell (feature debut)

Cast – Lake Bell, Fred Melamed, Demetri Martin, Rob Corddry, Ken Marino, Eva Longoria, Nick Offerman, Geena Davis, Michaela Watkins

Plot – Voice coach and underachiever Carol (Bell) per chance finds herself a major player in the voice over industry that her very own father Sam (Melamed) and his protégé Gustav (Marino) like to think they rule.

“This Wednesday, one woman will teach another woman to sound a little less retarded”

Review by Eddie on 4/11/2014

In a World seemingly came out of nowhere and made a nice indie scene splash upon release, a release that saw it not only garner a 92% fresh rating through Rotten Tomatoes but nominations and wins at various film festivals including a screenwriting gong at the esteemed Sundance film festival. These small tidbits of information would suggest that In a World is a rollicking good little comedy that sadly for me did not come to fruition.

Very much a modern day comedy movie in the ilk of others such as Frances Ha and any other semi/full pretentious indie that seems to think speaking fast, LOUDER than everyone else and over each other is a sufficient way to show just how smart it is to the audience. It’s an interesting concept having such a fast and self-aware script come to life but with a bunch of characters as unlikeable as they are here in In a World it makes for an at times arduous viewing experience. You consistently wish that the people involved would just take time out to speak normally to each, to take heed and listen to what the other is saying and perhaps the scripting allowed for to much improv that took away from at its core an interesting story.

Writer/director and graduate of supporting actress/voice work turns Lake Bell has a very ripe story at her disposal here yet you feel the world of the voice over artist is frustratingly lost in the ever increasing sub-genre of adult children who still live at home, don’t have a full time job and just generally get a kick out of making jokes of every situation which Bell’s character of Carol shines at. With a mistreatment of the story Bell does however manage to direct some fine supporting turns from a majority of her cast, from Fred Melamed as Carol’s voice over star dad Sam, Ken Marino as Gustav and Rob Corddry as Carol’s brother in law Moe. It’s in these performances that In a World finds some type of groove but it’s not enough to salvage a film that seems a little too lost in its own genius.

In a World sadly comes off as a wannabe hipster treat that instead feels overlong and tedious at a short sub 90 minute run time. Bell redeems herself in many respects with her directing of comedic actors but basing a judgement on her personal performance you would say she is much better sticking to her day job of voicing Lux in the Tron: Uprising animated TV series or bit parts in such Ashton Kutcher classics like What Happens in Vegas.

2 seriously hairy, sweaty old men out of 5