User reviews

Peter and Vandy is a real life comedy/drama about the challenges of a couple who while trying to get to know one another, learn a lot about themselves too. They are able to do this by being vulnerable and honest with each other during the uncomfortable early stages of a new relationship. This refreshingly honest portrayal of the difficulties of being the real "you" is captured in this film. Peter is a anxious young man who takes everything personally. He finds his self worth in the opinions of others and struggles to grow in autonomy and self acceptance. Vandy is brutally honest with her thoughts and this challenges Peter to question his perception of who he is. He is only able to focus on his flaws. Vandy helps him to see his strengths too. Vandy is a young woman who loves to be needed. All she wants to do is help Peter be the best that he can be. She soon realizes that she can not fix him. She needs to allow him to fix himself while she focuses on her own self image. She struggles with the need to be loved with her own flaws. Together they are able to challenge themselves and each other to embrace imperfection and focus on their strengths. The movie helps us to see the courage involved in making the decision to stay together or separate. You find yourself rooting for them to make it!

These are vignettes of the relationship between Peter (Jason Ritter) and Vandy (Jess Weixler) in Manhattan. It jumps around in their story from their meeting at the park, their fighting married friends Paul (Jesse L. Martin) and Marissa (Tracie Thoms), their petty fights, their break-up and their post break-up.

I love Ritter and Weixler. They are able to create some good chemistry at times. Martin and Thoms are a fun battling couple but it's too bad that they don't get many scenes. This is a short 80 minutes and it feels like a little thin. There needs to be something more. Ritter and Weixler could have done more but it's still good.

This was bloody fantastic. Beautiful. Not overdone, just perfect, with its simplicities, complexities, nuances, tremors and silences. Why 6? I really don't understand it. I cannot imagine anyone voting for lesser than 7 for this one at least. Strong leads, poignant, perfect emotions, and a fulfilling ending. Overwhelms, in a happy, warm way that nudges you, but doesn't push you over. Control and release, repeat.

This is a rant that is from the obvious movie rush that I am suffering from. I probably won't stop.

Nevermind. I will make my point here, once again-please do watch it. It hurts in a sweet, sweet way. Yes.

This is a really nice little indie romance from writer/director Jay DiPietro, with two of the most attractive young talents in films - both Weixler and Ritter are irresistibly likable and the film is well written and is photographed (by Frank DeMarco) with wit and polish in a quality production. Ritter's excellent work in "Good Dick," is carried on here and why Weixler is not a bigger Hollywood personality is beyond me (and I've been reviewing movies professionally since 1981). She is smart, has depth, and has a fascinating look. He is an actor with a gift for naturalism. They are very much in sync in this cleverly woven Manhattan tale.

Not easy to understand in just one watch. But still it does justice for watching it once. Too random sequences of present and past, though the point was proven. It's nothing, but a simple romance drama. Most close to the real world relationship. You would still feel the cinematic effect, yet if you encounter a scene that happened in your life and around you, that won't be a surprise. Because a relationship has to go through such phases.

I felt like the dialogues should have been much better, because I can't point out it was whether editing issue or the dialogues. At the end, I realised it was the character Peter, designed in that way. Yep, he seems an average, particularly his skills against women, are poor. So I felt bad for Vandy to get trapped with such person. But love can strike anywhere to/with anyone, right! This is a decent film if you like to take a chance, because it is not your regular romance-drama.

6.5/10

Despite what other reviewers have said, Peter and Vandy is a well made indie romcom that explores young men and women's underdeveloped EQ in our late 20s/ early 30s and how it can lead to a less than desirable relationship. The movie is cut into non-linear vignettes, some where the two share incredible chemistry and others that reveal troublesome incompatibilities. As the story unfolds, it explores insecurity, immaturity and lack of skill in communicating - there are times where Peter even comes across as an abuser. Ultimately it ends hopeful, suggesting, perhaps foolishly so, that if we commit to one another, we can grow and strengthen the bond we have with the partners we choose to love.

Just saw Peter and Vandy at Sundance, and I'm hoping it gets picked up for distribution. This was one of the most realistic movie relationships I've ever seen, and the actors are spot on. As the director said in Q&A this morning, the stars could convey so much with a single look that he was able to cut various small chunks of dialog from the original script. I won't ruin this film by telling you whether the ending is a happy or sad one, but it's definitely a real one.

Don't be put off by the knowledge that the film bounces back and forth in time. At first you think that this is just a cute stylistic choice, but before long you come to believe that the story requires it. Just when you think you know what's going on and what's going to happen, there's another time shift and you discover that all your assumptions were wrong. It adds a number of very welcome surprises, the kind that you don't expect in a romantic comedy.

Highly recommended.

Yes this is a bit like 500 days of Summer but without the gimmicks. What I didn't like about 500 days of Summer was that the characters were too compatible at times and suddenly became incompatible for no reason.

In Peter and Vandy, however, the problems between the two are always there in the background. The characters may not understand what's happening but the audience can certainly see the seeds of discord.

The dialogue is touching and real, when they are getting along, when they are fighting, when they are learning about each other and when they truly know each other. The fight over the pb and j was brilliant.

Ritter and Weixler give subtle and believable performances. Rather than overwrought Oscar dialogue, simple looks and glances expressed their hope, hurt, happiness and disappointment. A very refreshing change.

Highly recommended for anyone who loves a good romantic story that tugs on the heartstrings and brings tears to your eyes, without insulting your intelligence.

I had a chance to see "Peter and Vandy" at the Gen Art Film Festival a few months back and heard it's coming out in theaters in a few weeks. I'm happy it found distribution cause I really enjoyed this film. It's a quirky love story told out of sequence. If you think this sounds a bit like "500 Days of Summer," you're kind of right. The thing is, I actually liked "Peter and Vandy" better. At times I found "500 Days of Summer" a bit too clever for its own good, although I dug the film. "Peter and Vandy" doesn't resort to the type of sight gags that bogged down "Summer." This is a simpler and more heartfelt story, and I appreciated that. It's an enjoyable film that's worth seeing.

I saw this film at the Waterfront Film Festival and was very impressed. The script is very sharp; it was both the funniest and most moving film I saw at the festival, and was filled with acutely observed moments and truths about relationships. The direction and acting were also superb. In particular Jess Weixler turned in an amazing complex and nuanced performance as Vandy.

I would highly recommend this film. It is an auspicious first film for writer/director Jay DiPietro.

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i found this movie and decided to watch it because i recognized Jason Ritter from a previous movie (A Bag of Hammers). and i am delighted with this choice as the story is told with no fancy put-on or make believes.

the plot is simple, but the director Jay DiPietro, keeps the viewer from anticipating the next scene or level of their relationship with a wonderful use of flashbacks and flash forwards. but as this relationship progresses you can see that the old saying 'familiarity breeds contempt' finds its way between Peter and Vandy.

i do not want to spoil the next viewers watching of this charming flick but let me give you a hint - keep your eyes on the bundle of snapdragon flowers! enjoy!

Relationships are difficult.. they all have issues. Do these two stay together long term.. who knows.. watch again the very end of the film from the wedding scenes... and you decide. Ritter and Weixler do a wonderful job in this smart, engaging film. Many one-on-one romance films are quite enjoyable. But very rarely do you watch a romantic comedy and wish it would go on longer. This is a relatively short film at 80 minutes... and yet one of the more entertaining of the group. Obviously, it's all because of the two of them. Jess Weixler is not a huge Hollywood name.. for this film they matched up very well though, and she is exceptional. It's a favorite film... with a great ending track.. 'Overture' by Patrick Wolf ... bit.ly/1DOORTK ) PS.. this is a film you must watch a second time.. but start from the very end going back (overlapping) 10-15 minutes each time. This might be the only film you can do this and get more out of it than you'd ever believe possible.