Sundance: On the Count of Three

Starring: Jerrod Carmichael, Christopher Abbott, Tiffany Haddish, Henry Winkler, J.B. Smoove

Director: Jerrod Carmichael

Childhood friends Val (Jerrod Carmichael) and Kevin (Christopher Abbott) have reached the end of their ropes. Val is having relationship problems and is about to be promoted at his boring day job while Kevin has been institutionalized due to trying to take his own life. After Val breaks Kevin out, the two friends make a pact that at the end of the day they will end each other's life. As they progress towards their life altering moment, they force themselves to confront the demons of their troubled past and their friendship is put to the test as they come to realize life might be worth living after all.

This was one of the more audacious directorial debuts I have seen, having to balance dark comedy with some tricky subject matter. Those who know Carmichael from his sitcom days will probably be very surprised by the places this film goes. As the film tackles topics such as mental health issues and racial and economic inequality, Carmichael never shies away from the inherent darkness present in the film while keeping the focus on his two main characters. The fact that he and writers Ari Katcher and Ryan Welch (Hulu's Ramy) are able to pull off what they do is a tribute to their talents. That being said, the ending might be a tough sell for some and I am still not sure how I feel about it.

Much like the film itself, the humor in it can be quite dark as well. Luckily, the humor never feels forced or out of place, instead adding some much needed levity to the film. Carmichael's use of a singing Billy Big Mouth Bass is a masterclass in comedic timing and one of the many genuine laughs the film inspires.

Carmichael and Abbot have incredible chemistry and it helps that their characters actually feel like they have been longtime friends. Their relationship alone makes the film worth the price of admission. As good as Carmichael is, if people don't take notice of Abbott after this film I don't know what it will take. He is one of my favorite actors working today, first popping up on my radar after his incredible performance in 2015's James White, and most recently delivering jaw dropping performances in the indie drama Black Bear and the gruesome sci fi thriller Possessor. Carmichael has also surrounded himself with reliable actors like Tiffany Haddish, JB Smoove, and Henry Winkler in small yet important roles. It's an incredibly talented cast of comedic actors who get a chance to show off some dramatic chops. It was another gamble, in a film full of them, that pays off for Carmichael.

Regardless of how people react to the subject matter, it's hard to deny Carmichael is an exciting up and coming film maker who is not afraid to take risks. I'm excited to see what he does next.

Grade: B+