It’s about time that Community‘s Alison Brie got her big break. I was appalled to see how under-utilized (and despicably objectified) she was in this spring’s Get Hard, but this fall’s Sleeping with Other People should finally introduce cinephiles to her real comic gifts. Pairing the actress with Jason Sudeikis seems like a thoroughly winning prospect, and based on the first trailer for the irreverent pic, romantic-comedy fans might be about to get a much-needed kick in the teeth.
Brie stars as Lainey, a long-time sex addict who reconnects with an old, also sex-addicted friend (Jason Sudeikis) to whom she lost her virginity in college. Determined to break their respective cycles, the two vow to be platonic friends and never sleep together, which only gets trickier when the cynical pair develop unexpected affection for one another.
Director Leslye Headland last delivered a caustic, cruel comedy in Bachelorette, and though the trailer plays up the sweetness of Brie and Sudeikis’ central romance, there are hints of a much dirtier, raunchier film – which is definitely going to be a great deal of fun to watch. The supporting cast is also stellar, including Adam Brody, Adam Scott, Amanda Peet, Andrea Savage, Natasha Lyonne and Jason Mantzoukas.
IFC Films has just dated Sleeping with Other People for September 11. Here’s the full synopsis:
Years after impulsively losing their virginity to each other in college, Lainey (Alison Brie) and Jake (Jason Sudeikis) meet at a support group in New York (“What’s a nice girl like you doing at a sex addicts meeting?”). A spark resurfaces, but they’ve walked this road before. Abject failures in romance who lead lives of serial infidelity and self-sabotage, they agree to a platonic friendship to mutually support their recovery—and what’s more supportive than teaching your friend proper self-stimulation? Can love bloom while you’re sleeping with other people?