Peter and Vandy

Peter and Vandy is a 2009 American romantic independent drama film starring Jason Ritter and Jess Weixler. The film was written and directed by Jay DiPietro, adapted from his own play of the same name which opened in 2002 in New York.^[1]

Peter and Vandy
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Jay DiPietro
Screenplay by	Jay DiPietro
Based on	Peter and Vandy by Jay DiPietro
Produced by	Bingo Gubelmann Benji Kohn Austin Stark Peter Sterling
Starring	Jason Ritter Jess Weixler
Cinematography	Frank G. DeMarco
Edited by	Geoffrey Richman
Music by	Jason Lifton
Production companies	Cook Street Productions Paper Street Films
Distributed by	Strand Releasing
Release date	January 19, 2009 (2009-01-19) (Sundance Film Festival)
Running time	80 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

Plot

Peter and Vandy is a love story told out of order. Set in Manhattan, the story shifts back and forth in time, juxtaposing Peter and Vandy's romantic beginnings with the twisted, manipulative, regular couple they become.

Cast

• Jason Ritter as Peter
• Jess Weixler as Vandy
• Jesse L. Martin as Paul
• Tracie Thoms as Marissa
• Noah Bean as Andrew
• Bruce Altman as Dad
• Dana Eskelson as Emma
• Kristina Klebe as Michelle
• Zak Orth as Keith
• David Rasche as Alan
• Maryann Plunkett as Mom

Release

The film selected and premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 19, 2009. It opened on a limited release basis in the United States in October of the same year. It has been screened at various film festivals, including: the São Paulo International Film Festival, the Gen Art Film Festival, the AFI Dallas Film Festival, the Waterfront Film Festival, the Provincetown International Film Festival and the Tallgrass Film Festival.

A DVD of the film was released on February 9, 2010, in Region 1.

Reception

Critical response

Peter Vandy drew mixed reviews from critics. As of June 2020^[update], the film holds a 65% approval rating on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, based on 20 reviews with an average rating of 5.55/10.^[2] The New York Times film critic Jeannette Catsoulis gave the film a mixed review, praising the film's acting, photography, and soundtrack but saying "nonlinear structure...and unrevealing dialogue too often hold us at arm's length, a puzzle to be solved without sufficient clues....Peter and Vandy is more a designer frame for actors than nourishing entertainment."^[3] By contrast, film critics Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat of the web-based Spirituality & Practice, praised the nonlinear structure, saying "the filmmaker challenges us to understand and appreciate that intimate relationships stand or fall on the basis of how couples handle trifles and everyday routines.^[4] Metromix film critic Geoff Berkshire also liked the film, saying it offers "a refreshingly clear-eyed look at relationships," comparing it to Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. "The non-linear approach relies on both subtle and obvious visual clues to keep the audience properly oriented, and enhances the narrative...DiPietro's dialogue is sharp and Ritter and Weixler credibly flesh out characters who aren't always likeable, they're just two regular people trying their best at love."^[5] Meanwhile, panning the film in Variety, critic Todd McCarthy felt "Some of the linear deck-shuffling creates small frissons, but there's no underlying tension or subtext to shore up the banal talk."^[6]

Awards

Nominated

• Sundance Film Festival: Grand Jury Prize, Dramatic, Jay DiPietro; 2009.^[7]

Soundtrack

Track listing

• "Abel" by The National
• "Wet and Rusting" by Menomena
• "Brace Yourself" by Les Savy Fav
• "Air Better Come" by The Shaky Hands
• "Enticing Luxuries" by Chris DiPetrio
• "Overture" by Patrick Wolf
• "Good Arms vs. Bad Arms" by Frightened Rabbit
• "Fireworks" by Animal Collective
• "For Money or Love" by The Like Young
• "The Same Old Song" by 33 To Nothing
• "Gospel" by The National