They/Them/Us Review

THEY/THEM/US

STARRING JOEY SLOTNICK & AMY HARGREAVES

DIRECTED BY JON SHERMAN

By Robert Philips

“ Blending a new family will mean working through some kinks,” says the poster and They/Them/ Us then delivers an unpredictable hybrid of the Brady Bunch with a slice of dangerous sex. That the film delivers a stronger emotional punch than one might expect is a tribute to director Jon Sherman (also a co-screenwriter along with Melissa Vogley Woods). They introduce us to two middle aged divorcees in Columbus, Ohio who meet through an adult entertainment website and try to make it work.

Charlie (Joey Slotnick) is funny and genuine. Lisa (Amy Hargreaves) is a cherished local artist and secret BDSM queen. She’s charming and emotional. It’s a new persona for those who knew her from Homeland.

There are memorable scenes at a donut shop and another at a go-kart ride and a few moments late in the film that capture a certain middleaged wistfulness, of potentially losing a last love. The film also has an excellent, propulsive soundtrack.

They/Them/Us has some awkward segments including a somewhat hurried ending that tries to quickly wrap up multiple plots. The kinky sex delivers some laughs yet does not always align with mood of the remainder of the film. Yet in the end, the romance works.