Rising indie star Colin Burgess is making waves with the much-loved micro-indie release “Dad & Step-Dad” and now grabs audience attention again in the clever and amusing film “Free Time.” This great Ryan Martin Brown film traverses the well-trodden path of the quarter-life crisis, but with its own distinct comedy style that brings laughter from the film’s opening scene. With a brisk 78-minute runtime, this indie comedy stands out among its peers for its enjoyment levels and insightful observations on modern life’s mixed signals about free time usage.
The fantastic opening sequence shows Burgess' character, Drew, expressing dissatisfaction at work. He feels more like a data entry clerk than the data analyst he aspires to be. Instead of getting a new role or promotion, the discussion concludes with Drew quitting, leaving his boss in the lurch. Now jobless, Drew returns home to figure out his next steps under the same roof as a roommate who writes clickbait articles for a living.
As Drew's unemployment ensues, the central storyline of “Free Time” unfolds. With his friends engaged in their jobs, Drew finds himself aimless during the day, with not much to do-a hilarious shot at his constant movie watching is spot-on. With growing criticism from his circles for leaving a good job amidst a tough economy, Drew starts to question his decision. Additional blows come as he also loses his place in a band that shifts music genres.
In a world where we are repeatedly told to optimize our free time, what does freedom mean for individuals like Drew? How to achieve your dreams when they are not so fascinating? While some may find the direction a tad relaxed and the piano score slightly jarring, Brown's authentic and flowing script supports Burgess' engaging performance. Burgess’ portrayal of Drew’s journey, from messing up a possible romantic connection to desperately trying to regain his job, is relatable-a lot of us know or might have been a 'Drew' at some point.
“Free Time” delivers as a hilarious character study for the majority of its runtime, then morphs into something exceptionally remarkable-though we won’t spoil it here. Suffice to say, the film surprises and meaningful shifts in the plot encapsulates the film’s theme: free time often exacts a higher emotional price than we think.
