Setting its sights on amiability over artistry, People Places Things offers an easy-going blend of comedy and drama that would be unremarkable, and almost certainly not playing cinemas, were it not for the presence of one Jemaine Clement. In this small-scale, New York-set, tale, Clement gets to stretch his wings in ways he doesn’t get to often enough – keeping his Kiwi accent for starters, and allowed to bring an understated awkwardness to proceedings that’s closer to earlier career efforts than recent over-the-top roles.
As graphic novelist Will, we follow Clement as his relationship with the mother of his kids disintegrates, and he has to navigate the complications of shared parental custody and newfound singledom. It’s familiar territory, and with the competent supporting cast offered little by the material, there’s a lot resting on Clement’s shoulders here. Disappointingly, his wry performance style that has worked so well elsewhere proves insufficient to save People Places Things from its uneven tone, workmanlike direction, and sense of predictability.
Perhaps this side of Clement is better-suited as a foil to Conchord-like absurdity, where it works as a droll counterweight. There’s no doubting that it’s refreshing to see a more natural performance from him, something that comes through most strongly in his interactions with his onscreen twin daughters. People Places Things isn’t the vehicle to make a case for his leading man status, though, and the film will have to trade on pre-existing Clement love to resonate with audiences.
‘People Places Things’ Movie Times
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