I Used to Go Here
signatureSacrificing artistic integrity for commercial purpose, having a hard time getting over a break-up, idolizing an older man only to find out they’re not as saintly as they once seemed: these are all familiar themes covered in Kris Rey’s I Used to Go Here. For a movie that’s under 90 minutes, that’s a heavy load to bear, but Rey and Gillian Jacobs, whose central character Kate has to grapple with these issues, manage with aplomb. I Used to Go Here might not approach its themes in an original way, but the film is admirably low-key and contains an excess of charm.
The story kicks off when Kate is invited to her alma mater by a former professor to do a reading of her newly published (and overly schmaltzy) novel. That former professor is played by Jemaine Clement, and is equal parts cool and slimy. Clement is always a welcome comedic presence, and he nails the delivery on some of the movie’s funniest lines — including a moment when he tells Kate that “critics are the worst kind of human.”
While the film might not pander to its critics, it could be accused of being overly eager to please its general audience. Admittedly, most of its efforts succeed, but still, there are moments when Rey is trying too hard to get a laugh or make everything neat and tidy. As a result, the loose plot can sometimes feel too smooth and pre-constructed, and as comes with the territory of familiar themes, there are plenty of familiar plot beats and emotional arcs to be found.
Nevertheless, the film is ultimately a winner, and that’s in large part due to the colourful cast of supporting characters Rey, who also wrote the screenplay, assembled. First, there’s Elliot (Rammel Chan), the enthusiastic graduate assistant tasked with driving Kate wherever and whenever she wants to go. Then, a trio of college students living in the same house Kate used to live in: Hugo (Josh Wiggins), Animal (Forrest Goodluck), and the ineffable Tall Brandon (Brandon Daley). Each of these characters is brought to charismatic life by their actors and they exude extreme likability. And that’s just scratching the surface of the memorable ensemble.
Even with the tremendous supporting cast, the film would not succeed without the talents of Jacobs. She is responsible for carrying the dramatic weight of the film and she does with grace, nuance, and subtlety. There is rarely a moment that rings false, and that’s all thanks to Jacobs’ humanistic, endearing presence. There are several awkward moments for Kate throughout the film, and Jacobs hits just the right note each time, ensuring they are comedic and resonant instead of cringeworthy. Her natural performance lends the film dramatic credibility and helps makes I Used to Go Here a winsome dramedy.
