Shithouse (2020)

Director: Cooper Raiff
Stars: Cooper Raiff, Dylan Gelula, Amy Landecker
Runtime: 100 minutes

Synopsis: A homesick college freshman goes to a party at Shithouse and ends up spending the night with his sophomore RA who's had a shitty day and wants someone to hang out with.

Verdict: Thank you, Cooper Raiff. Thank you for giving us the feel-good movie of the year. I can't recall the last time I watched a movie that was so sweet and modest without pretending to be something more than that. And I can't remember the last time I watched a more impressive directorial, writing, acting, and editing debut.

"Shithouse" has a pretty simple premise. It's a love story between Alex, a socially awkward and homesick sophomore having a difficult time adjusting to college, and Maggie, a more outgoing student with whom he bonds at a party on campus. They're both imperfect in their own ways, and it's in those imperfections that they complement one another. Even though they're vastly different, the chemistry they share is undeniable, and we can't help but root for both of them, even when they're not on the greatest of terms or when they evaluate their relationship differently.

Raiff could've easily gone for a safe and melodramatic tone that would've probably resonated with more people, but thankfully roots the narrative to make it about characters we could relate to and sympathize with. Had he chosen a different approach, I could've definitely seen the film getting lost in a sea of teen dramas we tend to forget the minute they're over, but I can assure you that "Shithouse" takes a much more mature route that works like a charm.

Raiff's debut never feels heavy, but also never feels light to the point of boredom. The fact that he managed to pull it off so superbly immediately sky-rocketed him to my list of young talents to watch for, and I'm certainly anxious to see what the future holds for him. 

FINAL GRADE: 7/10