Drinking Buddies

Name: Drinking Buddies
Genre: Drama, Comedy, Romance
Released: August 23, 2013
Duration: 90 min
Rating: 71
Cast: Anna Kendrick, Jake M. Johnson, Jason Sudeikis, Olivia Wilde, Ron Livingston

2013

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 32 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 95 Ratings

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6.5

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6.5	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 95 Ratings

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Drinking Buddies

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Movie Details & Credits

Magnolia Pictures | Release Date: August 23, 2013 | R

Starring: Anna Kendrick, Jake M. Johnson, Jason Sudeikis, Olivia Wilde, Ron Livingston, Ti West

Summary: Luke and Kate are co-workers at a Chicago brewery where they spend their days drinking and flirting. They're perfect for each other, except that they're both in relationships. Luke is in the midst of marriage talks with his girlfriend of six years. Kate is playing it cool with her music producer boyfriend Chris. But you know what makes theLuke and Kate are co-workers at a Chicago brewery where they spend their days drinking and flirting. They're perfect for each other, except that they're both in relationships. Luke is in the midst of marriage talks with his girlfriend of six years. Kate is playing it cool with her music producer boyfriend Chris. But you know what makes the line between "friends" and "more than friends" really blurry? Beer.… Expand

Director: Joe Swanberg

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy, Romance

Rating: R

Runtime: 90 min

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Critic Reviews

100

A.O. Scott

Aug 22, 2013

Drinking Buddies, Joe Swanberg’s nimble, knowing and altogether excellent new film, refuses to dance to the usual tune. Read full review

Richard Roeper

Aug 22, 2013

Writer-director-editor Swanberg should actually get first billing, as it’s his touch that makes Drinking Buddies something special. Read full review

Time Out London Catherine Bray

Oct 29, 2013

It can be very funny, but there’s a bittersweet streak underpinning even the lightest moments. Read full review

McClatchy-Tribune News Service Roger Moore

Jul 30, 2013

We knew Livingston, Kendrick and Johnson (“Safety Not Guaranteed”) would work in this setting. But Wilde adds to the growing repertoire she showed off in “Deadfall” and “Butter,” films no one saw but which revealed that she’s a lot more than a pretty face. Read full review

Rene Rodriguez

Sep 5, 2013

All the actors are strong, but Wilde is particularly good as the impetuous Kate, who doesn’t realize how incredibly selfish she has become. The actress’ great beauty could have been a distraction, but her performance is so complex and alive that she blends right into this world of ordinary, working-class people with modest aspirations who are trying to find happiness but often go about it in all the wrong ways. Read full review

The Guardian Peter Bradshaw

Nov 3, 2013

It's an intriguing and distinctive story, soberly told. Read full review

RogerEbert.com Odie Henderson

Aug 23, 2013

Watching Drinking Buddies is like being the designated driver for a most uninteresting bunch of drinkers. Read full review

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User Reviews

movielandia1

Dec 9, 2013

Plot: Luke and Kate are co-workers at a Chicago brewery, where they spend their days drinking and flirting. They’re perfect for each other, except that they’re both in relationships. Luke is in the midst of marriage talks with his girlfriend of six years, Kate is playing it cool with herPlot: Luke and Kate are co-workers at a Chicago brewery, where they spend their days drinking and flirting. They’re perfect for each other, except that they’re both in relationships. Luke is in the midst of marriage talks with his girlfriend of six years, Kate is playing it cool with her music producer boyfriend Chris. But you know what makes the line between “friends” and “more than friends” really blurry? Beer. Drinking Buddies (2013)
Now this right here, is what I call a true indie. The whole thing is stunning and marvelously done. Now this isn’t your typical romantic comedy film, this is very realistic and focused on a lot more than just two characters and love but more focused on the friendships and work. The characters are really brought to life by the fact that the whole film is improvised. No script, just a synopsis of what the movie was about and let me tell you these wonderful actors did a phenomenal job! I really felt like I was right there with them, with the laughs, camera setting’s, the emotional stuff, all of it. I almost cried at how well this film was made and produced. I highly recommend watching it, it’s realistic, cute, funny, beautiful and just a brilliant film. You also get to see the actors (Anna Kendrick, Ron LIvingston, Olivia Wilde, & Jake Johnson) in a different view, because everything that they’re saying is coming from them, not a script, them. And it’s just mind-blowing and I can’t wait too see more from Joe Swanberg. Watch this very brilliant, stunning, beautiful film. You will laugh, cry, and just fall in love with these characters and actors. Also in this film they really are getting drunk, that just shows how talented they truly are. In my opinion this is the best of 2013.

Rate:10/10

Rated: R (profanity throughout film)

Film Directed and Written by: Joe Swanberg… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

MarkDetrel

Sep 20, 2013

Drinking Buddies is one of the biggest sorprises of this year, the story could be familiar, but the development is really great (ok, sometimes falls into the known), the script is really smart, and the performances are wow, incredible, Anna Kendrick, Olivia Wilde, Jake M. Johnson and RonDrinking Buddies is one of the biggest sorprises of this year, the story could be familiar, but the development is really great (ok, sometimes falls into the known), the script is really smart, and the performances are wow, incredible, Anna Kendrick, Olivia Wilde, Jake M. Johnson and Ron Livingston do a good job. Great movie.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

amheretojudge

Jan 16, 2018

you coming..

Drinking Buddies

It may resemble too much to the real world and still offer us enough reason to hang on to it as it is so perfectly written that its tone is surprisingly acceptable.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Thegodfatherson

Aug 23, 2013

'Drinking Buddies' is a lethargic look at what happens when platonic friends tip-toe the line between friendly and flirty; that they drink is merely a device in which we're given to understand their commonplace. While the plot is essentially aimless for the first three-quarters of the movie,'Drinking Buddies' is a lethargic look at what happens when platonic friends tip-toe the line between friendly and flirty; that they drink is merely a device in which we're given to understand their commonplace. While the plot is essentially aimless for the first three-quarters of the movie, the actors hold your attention by slowly and gently stroking the tension, which comes to a head when Johnson's Luke helps Wilde's Gate move between Chicago apartments. Ultimately, the stars of 'Drinking Buddies' give us some fun-enough characters to hang out with for 90 minutes. The true feelings and prerogatives of the main characters are reserved but for a few meaningful moments, of which many are apparent to the audience only. Despite (and perhaps because of) the creative control the actors were given in terms of improvised dialogue, there's a lot of people not saying what they're thinking in this movie. It's that frustrating passive aggression that makes this film feel as authentic and at times as too-close-to-home hitting of any of Swanberg's films to date.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

clayscottbrown

Jul 21, 2014

Small film about a brewery and it's workers, specifically two couples. The film is Marketed as something it isn't, mainstream.

The movie works but is low budget.

VERDICT: CHEAP AND BOOZY/50 OUT OF 100

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

clem666

Dec 30, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. What a waste of time... The concept and scenario are just really average and unoriginal. The pace is terrible: it feels like you're watching a really bad horror movie, waiting for what seems like hours for something to happen. And when something happens, it is just so disappointing, unrewarding and flat. Tasteless. It seems like director Joe Swanberg wanted to try something with that overall movie pace but he clearly missed something in its content. Even if Olivia Wilde (playing as Kate) and Jake Johnson (Luke) did an noticeable job concerning their acting skills, the rest of the cast simply is on another planet, emotionless. Anna Kendrick (Jill) and especially Ron Livingstone (Chris) perform in order to showcase one of their most underwhelming acting skills. Their romance is a nightmare, an ocean of cringy puns and looks. Major parts of 'Drinking Buddies' are just about entertaining the viewers without giving them any decent content, depth or context. The events follow one another without getting us concerned by the characters. 'Drinking Buddies' often illustrates authenticity in friendship but left me with the main feeling of being completely empty as it never allowed me to really get in touch with its protagonists. I could slightly enjoy this movie only if I drank as much alcohol as the characters.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

olivialin

Nov 24, 2013

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is the worst movie I've seen during 2013. The best part is when the male lead broke his hand.

I hanged myself after I watched this movie. If you wanna kill your husband or boyfriend, tell him to watch this movie.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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