"Much as " The Holdovers" carved out its place in the Christmas-movie canon two years ago by finding wistful humor and aching sadness within its tale of joyous, unexpected companionship, Jay Duplass and Michael Stassner's lovely and bittersweet "The Baltimorons" (out in limited release on Friday, then expanding nationwide next week) has appeared this year as a scrappily hand-wrapped gift from an old friend you're just happy-and relieved-to hear from."
"The film's premise is as simple-after cracking a tooth on Christmas Eve, a newly sober man finds himself meandering through Baltimore with his emergency dentist, for one long evening of misadventure-as its execution is funny and heartfelt. That's because Duplass, with the first film he's written and directed in 14 years, has found in star and co-writer Michael Strassner the kind of creative collaborator who brings out his best."
A newly sober comedian cracks a tooth on Christmas Eve and spends one long evening meandering through Baltimore with his emergency dentist, leading to misadventure that blends humor and heartfelt vulnerability. Jay Duplass wrote and directed his first film in 14 years and found a creative partner in Michael Strassner, who co-wrote and stars as Cliff. Strassner, a Baltimore-born actor and comedian with Groundlings improv roots, delivers a gregarious yet sensitive performance that reviewers call a major breakthrough. Strassner drew on painful personal experiences, including recovery and a failed suicide attempt; he has been sober for seven years.
Read at Roger Ebert
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