Summer econ movie round-up

We've been meaning to catch-up on our viewing of films that econ professors could show in their classes to illustrate lessons from the textbooks their students are required to read, and found--from 2012;

Which is a subtle gem, written by someone called Michael Walker (of whom, little is known other than this film). Anton Chekhov probably never had an actress at hand as dynamic as Parker Posey, but he'd have appreciated the craftsmanship in this comedy-drama (what the Russian playwright thought his works were).

Which is more than can be said for the nation's film critics. We can't find a single one of whom who has a clue as to what this movie is about, even in the prestige press. The role played by the wife of slacker Pete Cozy--also a missed irony by most critics--is pretty much ignored. We'd have thought the counterpoint to Posey's brash, aggressive character couldn't have been clearer--especially with the movie's ending where the wife is happy as a clam, living within walking distance of the Pacific Ocean, while her husband has to go inside, on a Sunday afternoon, to catch up on his work. But, hey, it's only half the movie.

Also, most critics slammed the grocery economics as 'eyes glazing over' stuff. Fortunately, the writer/director Walker knew what he was doing;

Did you research the supermarket business?

I did. Shelving strategy isn’t that glamorous, but when you hear about it from someone who’s really articulate, it becomes very interesting. Also, it’s a very private business. It’s secretive stuff. Surprisingly, I couldn’t even get access to a lot of their offices.

He got enough to make the point that needed making about economic reality. See for yourself though and judge it both for the off-color of its characters AND the content of its economics.