Ira and Abby: An Anti-Romantic Romcom About Divorce

Is it possible to make an anti-romantic, romantic comedy? Ira and Abby answers this question in the affirmative. It's being sold as a divorce comedy, but the film is as charming as anything that has been released recently. Jennifer Westfeldt's first script/starring combo was Kissing Jessica Stein which was a decent, though forgettable, first time effort. This time she knocks it out of the park - along with Director Robert Cary.

The film begins with Ira (Chris Messina) on a couch. He is as neurotic as they come, within the first few minutes reeling off a laundry list of issues. His psychiatrist is fed up after a dozen years of therapy, and no progress "fires" Ira as a patient. Ira is now so thoroughly distraught, he can't even decide what to order for breakfast. He decides he needs a change; he's just not sure what.

He ducks into a local gym, believing maybe getting in better shape will get him out of his rut. Abby (Westfeldt) is a saleswoman for the gym, but discourages Ira from joining. The two weave thru the gym as they talk for over six hours over all manner of topics.

We learn about Ira's long-time girlfriend Lea (Maddie Corman), who he can't quite commit too. He also can't get started on his dissertation in psychology, which he has been putting off for years. Meanwhile, Abby is the most outgoing person you will ever meet. As their conversation continues, we see as Abby knows not only everyone in the gym, but all of their problems.

Westfeld melts your heart as Abby. She is so optimistic, friendly, and charismatic she will make most males fall in love with her. She straddles the line of being outgoing and annoying, with never crossing it. Her energy flies off the screen, and you just want to take her home to your parents. It is readily apparent why Ira is smitten.

The two are almost 180 degrees apart, but they click. Abby senses this and asks if Ira wants to get married. Naturally Ira balks impromptu proposal, but he comes around soon enough. After all as Abby argues half of marriages end in divorce anyways, so hours of intense conversation might be as good a basis for tying the knot as living together for years beforehand.