OLYMPIC DREAMS – Review

So, getting tired of the frigid ole’ February (of course you sufferin’ folks in the southern states might have to dig out a windbreaker or sweater). Here in the Midwest, it’s still more than a bit nippy, with some occasional falling flakes. What better time for a multiplex getaway to…Pyeongchang, South Korea. And while we’re at it, how about a quick jump in the “Wayback” machine and get there (almost two years ago to the day) just in time for the 2018 Olympic Winter Games? But this is not a sports documentary, but rather a two-person romantic “dramedy” with the games as a backdrop. Now, filmmakers have done this for years, shooting a story “on the fly” using a big gathering (and saving on the cost of extras, no doubt). A few flicks from the past come to mind. Elvis Presley romanced and sang his way through 1962 Seattle for IT HAPPENED AT THE WORLD FAIR. As for sports, the Super Bowl (oops, the “Big Game”) was part of the climax of BLACK SUNDAY, and a dozen or so years ago the World Series figured into the finale of FEVER PITCH (just don’t bring that up when you travel to St. Louis). This new film is about two very different people who meet in Korea who somehow share OLYMPIC DREAMS.

One half of this mismatched couple is a competing athlete (and is played by real Olympian). Anxious, awkward Penelope (Alexi Pappas) is part of the US team, there to compete in the big cross-country skiing event. Arriving around the same time is the other “half’, Ezra (Nick Kroll), who is a volunteer dentist (hmm, guess that makes sense). He’s ecstatic to be there for the games ( a long time Olympic “geek”), despite the fact that his fiance back in the states just told him that they need to “take a break”. A day before her event, Penelope shares a cafeteria table with him. Though he tries to make small talk, she’s too full of anxiety. But when she’s knocked out of competition, she has lots of free time on her hands (that closing ceremony is almost a week away), Penelope finds Ezra’s temporary dental office in order to get an unnecessary “check-up”. The two hit it off and decide to “escape” the Olympic Village and explore the town that night. They eat, dance, and drink the night away. Friendship is quickly forming. Could this somehow blossom into a romance or will their bond fade as they head back to the states?

This project marks another step forward in showcasing the versatility of gifted comic performer (and real Broadway star) Kroll. While he continues to be a gifted vocal supporting player in recent animated features like SING and THE ADDAMS FAMILY (I’m still hoping for a spin-off showcasing his inspired work as Uncle Fester), Kroll “branched out” a couple of years ago with terrific supporting turns in the dramas OPERATION FINALE and LOVING (a truly underrated gem). Now, he’s “swinging for the fences” with what is really the romantic/dramatic lead as the genial everyman dentist. He throws himself into the role conveying his wide-eyed wonder of being part of this world-wide event, especially as he makes a new friend. Unfortunately, the storyline (doubtful if there’s a true “script”) lets him down as Ezra must do things that seem out of character to add ‘conflict’. And his mania over a brief exchange with his “on break” fiance seems forced. Fortunately, he does work well with Pappas who brings a different “take’ on the usual “larger than life” Olympians. In her first moments in Korea, she behaves like a lost little urchin at the ‘county fair’, barely able to express her feelings to anyone. Though lacking the experience of her co-star, she is able to keep pace in the loose banter. Ah but that storyline does her no favors either, as Penelope becomes far too needy and is often humiliated (do we need to see her PDAs spurned twice). Perhaps to add some gravitas she is given a couple of other athletes to “bounce off” (we don’t meet any of Ezra’s dental pals). Morgan Schild is like a sympathetic ‘sorority sister’ back at the dorm-like village. And Gus Kenworthy plays another acquaintance who becomes her “wingman”, but despite his efforts, morphs into a “rom-com” cliche’.

Director Jeremy Teicher really strives the capture the grand scale of the winter games, making great use of the surprising access he was given to the event and the surrounding city. Pappas and Kroll stroll about the facilities (the cafeteria and rec areas are most impressive) and the venues (walking up the ski-jump ramp at one point), then frolic in the local nightlife, recalling Scarlett and Bill exploring Tokyo in LOST IN TRANSLATION. But that’s where the comparison to that classic ends. Like the former flick, there is an age difference between the two, though not as vast (very few”skeevy” vibes), but the “sparks” just aren’t there. Ezra’s often a bit too “nerdy’ while Penelope comes off as too “clingy” and needy. Maybe this could have been worked out in a traditional screenplay. However the flick has the feel of an extended improvisational exercise, perhaps to give it an intimate pseudo-documentary feel. Since Pappas, Kroll, and Teicher share “writing” credits it seems to be in the mode of the HBO show “Curb Your Enthusiasm”, in which the actors “riff” while basing the scenes on a sparse “outline” that includes some plot “guides” and bits of info. That may be the reason for the frequent bits of Ezra “interviewing” his patients (real athletes reacting to his character quirks). It’s thuddingly apparent for the big confrontation between the two leads as they make bizarre put-downs (“un-brave” and “selfish” are pretty harsh) in order to force some drama into this often frothy travelogue. Fans of “The Games” will be enthralled by the inner workings and minutia, but for those looking for a compelling character study OLYMPIC DREAMS may have you dozing off during its 85-minute “ice routine”.

1.5 Out of 4

OLYMPIC DREAMS opens everywhere and screens exclusively in the St. Louis area at Landmark’s Tivoli Theatre