Writer/director Kris Rey’s “I Used to Go Here,” available on VOD as of Friday, Aug. 7 and screening at the Tibbs Drive-In Theater on Thursday, Aug. 13 at 9:20 PM as part of the 2020 Indy Film Fest, made me long for my halcyon college days while simultaneously showing the pettiness, drama and bullshit that’s inherent to higher education.
Kate (Gillian Jacobs) is an alumna of fictional Illinois University in Carbondale, Ill. (subbing for the actual Southern Illinois University – Rey’s undergrad alma mater), who’s just written her first novel, “Seasons Passed.” She’s invited back to the university by David (Flight of the Conchords’ Jemaine Clement), a professor she might’ve been too cozy with in her younger years, to do a reading. A faculty position is also being dangled in her direction.
Kate stays in a bed and breakfast across the street from the house she lived in with girlfriends when she was in school. She and the b&b’s proprietor, Mrs. Beeter (Cindy Gold), get off on the wrong foot when Kate returns home after curfew having lost her key. Frustrated and dejected, Kate seeks solace in her old house and its current occupants – Hugo (Josh Wiggins, “Greyhound”), Animal (Forrest Goodluck, late of Shudder’s “Blood Quantum”) and Tall Brandon (Brandon Daley – he’s tall!).
These three young men are studying creative writing like Kate did. She becomes entangled in their lives over the weekend – drinking and doing drugs with them. Hugo has a turbulent relationship with April (Hannah Marks), who’s the most promising student in the creative writing department. Kate also buddies up with Emma (Khloe Janel), who’s got something going with Animal.
“I Used to Go Here” is a hangout movie. It’s fairly light on plot and doesn’t say anything especially new, but it has an ace in the hole with Jacobs. I’ve been a big fan of Jacobs’ since “Community” and she brings considerable neurotic, awkward Britta Perry energy to the proceedings. I wish a 37-year-old writer who looked like Jacobs showed up to make time with me when I was 20. There’s a lot she could’ve taught me and even more I needed to learn. I dig Clement, but he doesn’t come off nearly as well. Then again, his character has a whole lot less to do and is a whole lot less likable.
I know Rey née Swanberg née Williams more as an actress than I do as a writer or director. She does solid work making something that’s entirely amiable. The film is a production of Lonely Island Classics and it’s not nearly as funny as “Hot Rod,” “Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping” and “Palm Springs,” but its hangout vibe is most assuredly pleasant enough. Lonely Island member Jorma Taccone turns up as Kate’s former classmate, Bradley Cooper (“I go by Brad now.”), and has a scene that’s a scream.
Come for Jacobs, stay for the killer soundtrack of indie, folk and vintage R&B and soul. Simpler still – I got a kick out of watching these folks down brews from Half Acre and Revolution (Shout-out to Juice Beers!) that I’ve enjoyed over countless weekends in Wrigleyville. I felt like I was 20 again watching this flick, which feels pretty damned good when you’re 38.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEYSD4-8FPA[/embed]