Am I OK? (2024) Review!!

Synopsis – Lucy and Jane have been best friends their entire lives. Only when Lucy embarks on a personal journey, will she face a test of her friendship, and her sense of self, on a path she may not be entirely ready to take.

My Take – With the recent critical and commercial disaster of the Sony Marvel superhero flick, Madame Web (2024), behind her in the rear view mirror, Dakota Johnson is back to doing what she does best: headlining charming indie features.

Marking the feature directorial debuts of talented actors and real-life partners Tig Notaro and Stephanie Allynne, this latest Max release, written by Lauren Pomerantz, who happens to be the muse for the story as well, is a short and sweet comedy drama that shines a new light on coming-out films, which are often focused on adolescents.

Making a case that there’s no exact timeline to discover one self. But while this is a story about a 32 year old character’s journey with coming out, its biggest success comes with its winning portrait of female friendship, especially between an introvert and an extrovert.

Sure, the depiction might come off as too simple for some, but backed by Pomerantz‘s crackling good screenplay, it manages to find enough room for deeper moments about friendship and growing up.

Yes, the story is obviously targeted towards the LGBTQ+ crowd, and isn’t something you will remember a few months down the line, however, even if you’re aren’t an ally or supporter, I urge you to watch it, as it is the kind of the film that will remind you of times with your older friends, may even get you to rekindle former friendships and remember the feeling of joy again.

The story follows Lucy (Dakota Johnson), a 32-year-old artist living in Los Angeles and working as a receptionist at a spa. She finds little satisfaction in her romantic life, including with her friend Ben (Whitmer Thomas), who has become frustrated at her continued avoidance of his advances. Instead she prefers to spend considerable time with her best friend, Jane (Sonoya Mizuno), whom she’s known for years.

However, the two find their friendship pushed to the limits when Lucy comes out as not straight right after Jane announces she’s moving to London in six months due to a work promotion. Now Lucy is restarting her life and explaining it to those around her, including unwanted third-wheel Kat (Molly Gordon) or Jane’s boyfriend, Danny (Jermaine Fowler). That’s on top of Lucy and Jane navigating this new development while processing being separated for the first time since they became friends.

Despite its initial set up, the film hits its stride when it dives into the deeply forged, effusive bond between Jane and Lucy, portraying their friendship in all its glory and pain.

The highs and lows of their relationship, the harsh words that only best friends can wield, and the shared understanding make the narrative more compelling. There is something touching about two friends figuring themselves out first that only reinforces their friendship later.

Most importantly, it wisely avoids the usual will-they-won’t-they trope or unrequited love between the two leads. Instead, it focuses on the nuanced complexities of Lucy’s surrender to her confusing feelings, Jane’s over-eagerness to help that morphs into control, and the subsequent communication breakdown between the two as their world changes.

The film does a fairly decent job at making the rift between Lucy and Jane palpable, plus the amount of time they are apart is long enough to have an impact. Indeed, the film does has its share of discordant beats and off-key attempts at comedy, but it never loses sight of the vital depictions of Jane and Lucy’s intense bond and Lucy’s blossoming sense of self.

The emphasis that anyone can figure out their sexuality at any age is important. The insecurities Lucy feels about her age is valid, showcased accurately in the way shots linger on Lucy in moments of awkward flirtations or quiet reflections. A particular moment when a shot cuts to Lucy sobbing in her room after failing to live up to Jane’s outgoing attitude when they go out to a lesbian bar is a major standout.

However, the reliable nature of the film makes it especially comforting. It is a comedy at the end of the day, and a lot of the film is actually really funny, but not in a slapstick way, nor is it dark or satirical; it’s simple, and in this case, simplicity goes a long way.

Of course, it helps that Dakota Johnson brings her natural comedic charm to the role that really helps to create an image that is very relatable. Sonoya Mizuno embodies Jane’s unwavering loyalty and fierce determination to help Lucy navigate her new reality, lending warmth and empathy to her portrayal. Johnson and Mizuno have an easy and comfortable chemistry; the acting is utterly authentic in their exchanges.

In supporting roles, Jermaine Fowler, Kiersey Clemons, Sean Hayes and Molly Gordon manage to stand out. Even Notaro appears in a cameo, being her usual deadpan hilarious self. On the whole, ‘Am I OK?’ is a charming coming-of-age story featuring a compelling and poignant Dakota Johnson.