The debut feature from Delaney Buffett, “Adult Best Friends,” centers around the long-standing and recognizable friendship between Delaney (Buffett) and Katie (Katie Corwin). Their co-dependent friendship, forged during a middle school party, bares witness to their evolving personalities and lifestyles over the decades. Presently, their paths have diverged, with Katie embracing a conventional adult life while Delaney rebels against societal norms, opting for a noncommittal, capricious lifestyle. The film depicts these differences in the backdrop of a weekend beach getaway planned by Katie to softly reveal her engagement to Delaney.
Peeking into their journey, their friendship seems tethered on a fragile balance where Katie frequently gives in to Delaney's whims. This imbalance tests their bond as truths about their suppressed frustrations begin to emerge during the trip. The authenticity of their rapport, likely owed to Buffett and Corwin's own friendship, provides grounding depth to the scenes and dialogue as they navigate this changing dynamic.
Much of the film’s narrative unfolds in a beach town, acting as a metaphorical nexus between their past and future. Katie's attempt to infuse practical adult behavior into their weekend clashes with Delaney's hankering for their old shenanigans. This conflict predictably spoils their plans as they wind up spending the weekend with a disparate bunch of people who inadvertently reflect their own divergent paths and values.
"Adult Best Friends" presents a candid depiction of shifting friendships amidst maturing and personal evolution, garnished with comedic elements. Drawing parallels with Taylor Garron’s “As of Yet” (2021), the film flaunts Buffett’s team's comedic prowess exercised in contemporary settings. As the narrative expands from a personal friendship story to a broader dialogue about independent living, it successfully maintains viewer engagement while exploring Katie and Delaney’s unique pursuit of happiness.
