It's a Disaster (2012)

It's a Disaster is couple's movie if there ever was a couple's movie. You know, if there was also an impending world disaster on the horizon. Written and directed by Todd Berger, It's a Disaster is a comedy about what happens when people who know too much about each other are trapped in a house together, until they die.

The Premise

Four couples meet for their regular Sunday brunch, but this is anything but a regular Sunday. The eight friends become trapped inside as catastrophe strikes, only to air grievances, lick old wounds and watch their fates unfurl.

My Take

The reason this movie works so well is because it is so easy to relate to all the characters. As I watched this movie, I saw each friend and each couple as either myself or as other friends and other couples that I know.

There is Emma and Pete (Erinn Hayes and Blaise Miller). They are the perfect couple that are hosting the perfect couple's brunch. It seems that this is the couple every other couple looks to for advice. They were the first to get married and now they are the first to file for divorce. Too much pressure to be perfect? Next is Lexi and Buck, played by Rachel Boston and Kevin M. Brennan. This is the couple that is always on the verge of being inappropriate. Be it the drugs, the sex, or the bad timing, they are hilariously carefree. That brings us to America Ferrera and Jeff Grace, who are Hedy and Shane. Hedy and Shane are the couple that cannot get along no matter what. That's the couple that makes you wonder how they ever got together and why they even bother, but Ferrera and Grace make their blunders fun to watch. And finally there is Glen, played by David Cross, and Tracy, played by Julia Stiles. They are the new couple. They are on their third date, to be exact, and Tracy is nervous because she always attracts the crazy ones.

As the movie progresses, and the individuals are trapped in the house together, they all reconnect in ways they don't expect. Of course there are the expected arguments as personalities clash, but there are also tender moments as some fires are rekindled and others are put out. Everything is pieced together in such a funny and brilliant way, that you almost forget it is Armageddon outside.

The Verdict

I love how casual the dialogue is in this movie. Everyone talks over each other just like in real life. In real life, no one waits their turn to talk. You interrupt one another, talk over each other, yell, whisper behind each other's backs, and they do that in It's a Disaster. All of the actors did an excellent job of developing their individual personalities and fusing them to match and counter their mate's personalities. I give It's a Disaster 7/8 friends to watch this with, if you're lucky enough to find friends like these.