On the count of three

Some of the dramatic comedies discovered this year at the Sundance Festival caught our attention not only because of the sum of talent brought together but also for their willingness to offer stories in the age of time. Written by Ari Katcher, Ryan Welch and directed by Jerrod Carmichael, On the count of three features two inseparable best friends, Val (Jerrod Carmichael) and Kevin (Christopher Abbott) who sign a pact between them to end their lives when the day is done. From the first strong scene of the film showing his two friends ready to shoot each other in the head, the tempo of the film is set. There follows a flashback and then a return to that scene before presenting us with the tragic fate of these two people living outside the system and who seem ready to do anything before leaving this earth.

On the count of three managed to be a successful dramatic comedy about friendship, despair and American society. The film also shows the time of a scene that Kevin's childhood was difficult with the fact that he wants revenge on his former therapist (played by Henry Winkler). In the same way, the many supporting roles give the film a real rhythm that fits the story perfectly. The main duet works wonderfully and reminds us of the famous tandems of mismatched actors in the Hollywood comedies of the 80s and 90s.

It's also interesting to learn why these two adults, overflowing with life, decide to end it all. Their overflowing energy spent without showing the cracks in these two characters. On this subject, the script is as perfectly written as it is nuanced and shows us how the two main characters came to this sad conclusion.

With limited means, the director nevertheless delivers us an original dramatic comedy that manages to move us by the presence of these two main roles as unstable as unpredictable. By taking the models of dramatic comedies from the Hollywood studios and relying on a solid cast, On the count of three is certainly one of the best films discovered this year at the Sundance Film Festival.

On the count of three
Directed by Jerrod Carmichael
Produced by David Carrico, Adam Paulsen, Tom Werner, Jake Densen, Ari Katcher, Jimmy Price
Executive Producers: Christopher Storer, Michael Baker, Tyson Bidner, Ryan Welch
Written by Ari Katcher, Ryan Welch
Starring Jerrod Carmichael, Christopher Abbott, Tiffany Haddish, J.B. Smoove, Lavell Crawford, Henry Winkler
Music by Owen Pallett
Cinematography: Marshall Adams
Edited by Tom Eagles
Distributed by Valparaiso Pictures
Release date: January 30, 2021 (Sundance)
Running time: 84 minutes

Seen on January 30, 2021 (Sundance Festival)

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