To be twenty-two and lost is a right of passage of sorts. It feels as though the entire universe has a singular goal, and it is to actively ruin your life. The messiness of a person’s early twenties has been the subject matter of an entire genre of storytelling. One could argue that Greta Gerwig’s career was built on her ability to expertly and heartbreakingly capture those turbulent years. While august at twenty-two is not a Gerwig flick, Cal (Ali Edwards) has absolutely watched Frances Ha at some point in her life while smoking pot, eating a bowl of pasta, and sitting cross-legged on her mattress on the floor. This is someone who fundamentally understands opening a credit card to fly to Paris for two days, only to sleep those days away.

A fresh graduate, Cal feels as though everyone is a million miles ahead of her. She’s an aspiring actor who isn’t finding success in the traditional sense. Of course she’s also figuring out what her definition of success is, but Cal would like at least one of her auditions to result in a job. In the meantime, she spends all her time with her best friend, Bobby (Jorge Felipe Guevara). Then things seem to be turning around because her childhood best friend/crush, Jacob (Clay Singer), has re-entered her life. Only problem? He’s dating someone who’s not Cal. Her name is Emily (Lilli Kay) and she’s a cool, hip photographer. Cal and Emily start hanging out, which not only drives a wedge between Cal and Bobby, but also unearths new feelings in Cal.

Edwards’ performance as Cal is pitch-perfect. Does she understand Cal on such a fundamental level because she’s the product of Edwards’ writing? Or is it simply that never-ending feelings of anxiety and self-doubt are prerequisites to any sort of creative career path? The answer doesn’t matter because the performance and the script speak for themselves. Cal is messy, awful, sad, in love, and hopeful in the way you can only be as you stumble out of college. It’s relatable to those who are living through it at this moment, and a painful flashback to the rest of us who have made it through.

august at twenty-two captures the incendiary magic of finding someone who you click with. It’s more than simply getting along and being able to make small talk. Sometimes people come into your life and the immediacy with which you feel you know them is shocking. It’s a rare experience that can’t be predicted or forced, but sometimes you meet a person and the hours with them seem like minutes. It’s intoxicating. You feel yourself making mistakes, turning your back on your old friends, and yet you can’t stop. That person’s attention and presence are the only things that matter. august at twenty-two understands that intoxication, that heady, tumultuous relationship that is doomed from the get-go, but Cal can’t see that. Of course she can’t. No one ever does.

Watching twentysomethings fumble and banter their way through New York City is a very specific type of movie, one that’s been done time and again with varying levels of success. august at twenty-two falls on the successful side of the spectrum. While Cal may not fully understand her own definition of success and what it means in her life, august at twenty-two knows that it takes time, effort, and support to get anywhere. A little patience along the way doesn’t hurt either.

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