Writer/director Brittany Show (the Pitch Perfect films, Hairspray) pulls the creative ripcord in Parachute – her feature film debut behind the camera – and sticks the landing. The result is a refreshingly honest, compassionate, and thought-provoking story about addiction and codependency. Parachute is a beautiful achievement from Snow and some excellent indie filmmaking to boot.
Interestingly enough, the first draft of the script was more of a rom-com than it was about how hard it is to keep that open line of connection with your people when you’re spinning out yourself. So cheers to this move, which is incredibly moving and also benefits from heartfelt comedic moments.
The movie follows two people moving through difficult life transitions. At the center of it all is Riley (Courtney Eaton of Yellowjackets), an idealistic young woman who struggles with an eating disorder and body image issues. Ethan (Thomas Mann), a wannabe musician, acts as Riley’s perfect emotional trigger; she acts as his too. The two meet on what will become one of the most important days in each other’s lives; she’s just gotten out of rehab, he jail – so what could go wrong?
There’s a powerful moment in Parachute where Ethan says to Riley: “I have no idea what you’re looking at when you look in the mirror.” Up until this point later in the film, we’ve been shown what Riley sees when she looks at herself in the mirror — not actually shown it per se but we’ve felt it through her reactions to her own image – but for most of us today, it’s challenging to look at any image of ourselves without some fluctuation self-esteem surrounding that viewing experience. With celebrated social media posts featuring “perfect” bodies and ageless faces filling our timelines daily now, “how can I look good?” has shifted dramatically toward “how can I look so much better?”
Riley is saddled with that warped view of “self.” As a filmmaker, Brittany Snow handles the subject with grace and lived experience. We see several years in Riley’s life as she attempts to navigate her body image issues – but then there’s Ethan. The two have an instant bond; two walking wounds setting themselves up for more heartbreak. Ethan is codependent by nature. These two are a perfect dysfunctional fit and Snow has such an intelligent eye and ability to make the necessary tonal shifts from light to dramatic.
They give it a go and ride through many highs and lows of what starts off as a platonic bond; clearly, Ethan is more invested in Riley. But it feels real, authentic — Riley loves him as a friend. This lopsided dynamic sets up the film nicely, leaving viewers wondering how things will play out.
In the meantime, Riley keeps up appearances, doing all of those things her therapist Dr. Akerman (Gina Rodriguez of Jane the Virgin) would like her to do — self-exploration, 12-steps meetings etcetera etcetera – but isn’t life just so much more fun when you’re free falling? Her mother (Mle Chester) is barely present throughout most of the picture but her posh loft serves as Riley’s great (crash) landing pad while she figures it out (or doesn’t). Meanwhile, best friend Casey (Francesca Reale) tries to buffer some of Riley’s frequently manic behavior.
Nice guy Ethan cleans up after emotional disasters — his own. His family has always been a bit much, so his roommate, Justin (Scott Mescudi/Kid Cudi), is his only other bright spot. But as he grows closer with Riley emotionally, there eventually comes a time for more closeness physically. It’s a big mistake for Riley. Trust and physical intimacy? What an alien concept. She still can’t believe she broke up with her boyfriend right before rehab.
Luckily, Snow was able to bring in many familiar faces for these cheaper roles. Along with Rodriguez and Mescudi, Dave Bautista (Guardians of the Galaxy) shines as the murder-mystery club’s loveable host where Riley starts working, while Joel McHale (Community) briefly appears as a character that adds context to the story.
In general, the situations between Ethan and Riley are incredibly raw and vulnerable — things often are when you’re living with your best friend. Every day is another fight for Riley to try and love herself. And it’s easier for Ethan to love everyone but himself. There’s also a great moment where somebody in Riley’s circle calls her out on her own B.S., which effectively demonstrates what it feels like to be on the other side of someone else’s extremely complex “ism.”
Brittany Snow handles all this like an old pro — you’d think she’d been directing movies for years if you didn’t know any better. The movie never feels preachy or sappy (even though it sometimes gets really right-theres), but instead just seems like…a win! It holds onto us through our sensitive souls’ balls of yarns until they’re completely unraveled — and then keeps us wanting more! Between its amazing leads, solid handle on subject matter and quiet indie film vibe, Parachute floats just fine.
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