Rhymes with Banana

Rhymes with Banana, a 2012 independent black comedy film directed by Joseph Muszynski and Peter Hutchings, provides an enchanting look inside the world of struggling creative personalities navigating their twenties in the big city. The film stars Zosia Mamet (Girls, The Flight Attendant), Jee Young Han (Santa Clarita Diet, Superstore) and Paul Iacono (Fame, The Hard Times of RJ Berger).

The movie is a refreshing cocktail of humor, sorrow, and the kind of absorbing realism that roots its characters firmly in the reality of young urban life. It's an exploration of those moments, shared experiences and struggles that unify the confusing, infuriating and inspiring journey into adulthood.

Zosia Mamet stars as J, an optimistic but frustrated out-of-work actress still clinging onto her dreams which are far from nearing fruition. While trying to endure the odd jobs of a struggling artist, she faces the emotional tension of watching her friends achieve success while her own career seems to be on an indefinite pause. The spirited J’s journey stands as a testament to the persistence, tenacity, and often heartbreaking realities experienced by aspiring artists everywhere.

Jee Young Han plays Banana, J's quirky, off-beat roommate who had once been optimistic about her career as a playwright. Like J, Banana too is struggling to map her path amidst the ruthless competition in the artistic landscape of New York City. Despite the setbacks and disappointments, she remains loyal to her craft, determined not to give up on her dreams. Banana’s portrayal brings to light the subtler but significant struggles of the creative process, serving as a telling mirror of the immense pressure and hope embraced by many artists.

Paul Iacono plays Davis, an old friend who is on the rise as a hotshot sitcom star. Through Davis, the film explores the other side of the coin; the success, fame, and superficiality associated with it. His character serves as a stark contrast to J and Banana’s lives and further intensifies the dynamic underlining the sheer unpredictability of creative careers.

The journey of these three different but interlinked characters delicately uncovers the emotional and psychological layers involved in navigating the fraught world of creative arts. It depicts a stark portrait of the harsh realities of pursuing artistic dreams and the toll it takes on their relationships and their emotional well-being.

The film utilizes the aesthetics of New York City to complement its narrative while injecting moments of quiet contemplation, reflecting the tumultuous inner lives of the characters. The directors and cast effectively mirror the contrast between the bright, pulsating energy of the city and the starkness, despair and resilience found within the hearts of its dreamers.

Rhymes with Banana, with its blend of raw emotion, hilarity, and pathos, explores the battle between accepting the mundane reality and the extent one would go to realize their dreams. The film boasts a wonderful chemistry among the lead characters, especially between J and Banana, whose relationship forms the vibrantly beating heart at the center of the story.

Further embellished with a supporting cast of sharp, eccentric characters and a series of poignant, laugh-out-loud scenarios, Rhymes with Banana is a genuine, insightful, and laugh-out-loud journey through the triumphs and tribulations of striving for one's dreams against all odds.

Through its narrative twists and turns, the film acts as a beautifully crafted reflection on friendship, ambition, success, and failure. It serves as a poignant ode to the artist in all of us. It both celebrates and laments the unpredictable journey of chasing dreams with a band of like-minded misfits who dare to dream irrespective of the world around them.

Rhymes with Banana stands out for its skillful blend of comedy and drama that is both entertaining and reflective. Though it falls into the category of a comedy, it doesn't shy away from introducing moments of profound sadness and genuine human predicaments, making it an unflinching yet empathetic depiction of the human experience.

In conclusion, Rhymes with Banana is an honest, funny, and touching film that provides a relatable and humanizing snapshot of the struggles and triumphs inherent in the pursuit of artistic endeavors. The movie is a love letter to every struggling artist who dares to dream in the face of adversity and serves as a charming illustration of the ingredients that constitute the heroic journey of an artist—the failures, the struggles, the perseverance, and the undying hope.