Netflix pick for 6/13/16 – ‘Adult Beginners’

“Adult Beginners” is a tight little comedy about adults in their thirties still trying to figure out exactly how to be adults. Still doing things like sneaking off to smoke some weed, balking at basic responsibilities, and generally fumbling around with romantic interests, this is a movie about people who know they have to be the grown ups in the room and kind of hate doing it but go through with it anyway because that’s what they are supposed to do and lo and behold who woulda thunk it this kind of responsible, adult-like behavior can actually lead to a pretty satisfactory outcome. Surprising only in its maturity in how it tackles these themes, while there is little to separate this from similar “adult coming of age” type dramadies, “Adult Beginners” is still a very satisfying watch.

Jake (Nick Kroll) finds himself broke and friendless when his brand new company immediately goes up in flames, taking his and his investors’ money with it. He has to move in with his pregnant sister (Rose Byrne), her husband (Bobby Cannavale) and their 3-year old kid, and in order to make a few extra bucks, he agrees to be a nanny for his sister while he tries to figure out what to do next with his life. What ends up happening is he spends longer than planned living with them, and he gets involved a little in their lives, and of course things gets upset and problems arise, which leads to be funny mix ups and sad developments between characters in almost equal measure.

It also helps that the small roles in this pleasant comedy are populated by great comedians and actors like Joel McHale, Jane Krakowski, Jason Mantzoukas, Bobby Moynihan and Mike Birbiglia – a new scene starts and you’re like, “hey, it’s that guy, awesome!” It all works out quite well. Which you can see for yourself on the Netflix Instant right here.