Director: Lake Bell.
Starring: Lake Bell, Fred Melamed, Demetri Martin, Michaela Watkins, Rob Corddry, Ken Marino.
Running Time: 92 minutes.
Synopsis: Carol (Lake Bell), an underachieving vocal coach and the daughter of a famous movie trailer voiceover artist, sets out to become the voice of movie trailers, much to the chagrin of her self-absorbed father (Fred Melamed).
Beginning with a delightful selection of clips featuring the late, great movie voiceover legend Don LaFontaine, actress, writer and director Lake Bell’s IN A WORLD… sadly dovetails into a rather forced and uninspiring comedy about a girl called Carol who longs to get out from behind her father’s shadow and follow in his footsteps as a movie trailer voice. Unfortunately her dad, who longs to be the next LaFontaine, is hell bent on stopping her because – well, because he’s a little bit sexist.
Therein lies one of the film’s many problems, revolving around the characters various motivations not quite ringing true. Yes, sexism in the industry exists, but would a father really try to sabotage his own daughter’s career in favour of himself or another young rising male voiceover star? Possibly, but not to the extent featured here, which makes their relationship appear to border on pure malice at times. It doesn’t help matters that there’s a boring subplot regarding Carol’s sister Dani’s (Michaela Watkins) strained relationship with her hapless husband, Moe (Rob Corddry), which adds nothing to the main plot when fizzling out three quarters into the movie. And as for the romantic subplot between Carol and her recording studio dwelling admirer, Louis (Demetri Martin), well there’s not much to be said aside from the fact that it all feels like unrequired filler.
IN A WORLD… also suffers as a result of the badly judged humour that runs throughout. This critic is all for quirky, nuanced comedy, but here it all feels rather forced, as though the actors are trying really hard to make you laugh to the point where they overdo the jokes and strain themselves. It’s a darn shame, because actors like Lake Bell, Michaela Watkins and Rob Corddry are fine comic performers, but sadly there’s just too much quirk, OTT moments and not enough gags that are allowed to flow naturally.
There are a few good jokes here to enjoy, and the finale does a fine job of making a valid point about women’s roles in shaping the next generation of freethinkers while having a good, subtle stab at TWILIGHT and films of that ilk. But as a comedy, IN A WORLD… misses more than it hits, largely due to some overdone comedic performances and an unconvincing father-daughter relationship.
THE SUNDANCE LONDON FILM AND MUSIC FESTIVAL RUNS FROM 25-28 APRIL AT THE O2. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND TICKETS VISIT: http://www.sundance-london.com
