Exaggerated, unrealistic prompt that still united familiar assembly with a likable cast remarking comedically and working chemistries that never let the engagement down on the complex characterization. (B)

This movie is a delight! I rewatch it every year! It’s sweet, and funny, and feels real. Melanie Lynskey and Colbie Smulders, are stands out. Good writing from Clea DuVall!

Another thoroughly enjoyable movie in SBS's best movies line up. I loved the cast and the premise and the Southern background.

You look up a review of this film, the words 'Big' and 'Chill' will inevitably appear, and not for no reason: the inspiration is clearly there, although nowhere near as boldly as a film like 2014's About Alex, a film with a premise so similar that it was almost a remake of Kasdan's 1983 'post-coming of age' drama. Rather, The Intervention strives to do something not attempted by The Big Chill, nor About Alex, nor even Secaucus 7 or even more niche films in a similar vein such as Indian Summer or Linklater's SubUrbia: it doesn't put on airs, but rather retains an unexpected lightheartedness, and while there is conflict afoot (such as the aforementioned intervention), there is a vested interest in portraying these characters as friends who may be burdened by many things, but estrangement is not one of them. Attempting not to venture too far into spoiler territory, there is a scene where one of the leads finds herself in a compromising position involving what could only generously be called a kiss, and misunderstandings ensue. Whereas this is where the plot and tone would take a hard right into contentious territory were this another film, instead this is when we're treated to the movie's most outwardly comedic scene involving an angry 'kiss-off' after taking a dive off of the pier. This kind of levity may not be for everyone, but for those who may be put off by movies that attempt to lean more on the heavy side of gravitas, this may be just the film for you. There is an underlying conflict bubbling just below the surface (and in a rather pleasant example of a twist not beating you over the head, I'll just say that by the end of the movie it's not the conflict you've been led to believe it will be), these are characters who care for each other with no attachments of cultural disillusionment or adages about how age has surrendered them of their innocence - just pure, simple, awkward concern. In a movie about six friends trying to stage an intrusive 'marriage intervention' for two of their best friends, The Intervention doesn't feel too concerned as a cautionary tale about needing to take time to caution you: instead, what you see is what you get, and what you get is a straightforward story about a bunch of well-meaning people sticking their nose where it doesn't belong, and watching some good, some bad, and some necessary character revelations come out of it. Also worthy of mention is writer/director/star Clea DuVall's screenplay: a respectable introductory effort to the other side of the screen, the script does a good job at developing only the necessary character traits and working from there, often starting simple threads that eventually lead to small, intimate character details that unfold as the film's conflict is brought to a head. Within the film's first minute, engaged couple Annie and Matt (played by real-life couple Melanie Lynskey and Jason Ritter) are flying in to town, and as Matt is asleep, a flight attendant asks if Annie would like anything to drink. She asks for an orange juice, takes a beat, checks to see if Matt is asleep, and then asks instead for a double scotch on the rocks. It's the simplest of plot devices that alludes to Annie's drinking problem, but it works, and it works with efficiency: in fact, if you weren't informed of anything about this film beyond the title, within the span of this one scene, you'd likely be convinced that Annie was going to be the one the intervention was going to be planned for, not the one planning it. Similarly, the intervention's resident holdout, Jack (played by the surprisingly capable Ben Schwartz, who I'm personally used to seeing in more straight comedic roles), is alluded to have something of a tragic past, but indications of this are made slowly and quietly, starting with DuVall's character Jessie softly wondering if anyone 'knows how he's been doing', and small asides about whether or not his friends had stopped to think how his being back at Jessie and Ruby's summer home would affect him. When girlfriends Jessie and Sarah (Natasha Lyonne) are having separate conversations, each are taking a long drag of a cigarette. While Sarah tells Ruby (Cobie Smulders) not to tell Jessie she's been smoking because they were supposed to be quitting together, Annie inquires to Jessie when she started smoking again. "I didn't," Jessie replies obliviously as she takes a puff, speaking earnestly to the obliviousness of the characters to even their own most simple shortcomings. Unlike other 'Chill-likes' (I'm thinking this isn't really a thing, but I'm going to use it for brevity's sake), there's no introductory setup to each character's occupations and personal hangups. In fact, no mention is made whatsoever as to what these friends do for a living, or whether or not their not being to the summer house in so long (six years) has caused any appreciable rift between them. This, in my opinion, is a refreshing change of pace that makes The Intervention markedly just different enough to earn it a place separate and distinct from the 'Big Chill for millennials' title that it's been fitted with. Is it simple? Yes. Traditional? You bet. Is it awash with underlying themes and deconstructions? Nope. Does it challenge the viewer's preconceived generational notions? Not really. Does it need to? Not at all: in fact, I feel as though it could only have suffered for trying to translate the pretensions of the film's 1983 predecessor. It's a likable cast treading familiar waters, but it's better off for it.

Great female ensemble.

I really loved this movie not just because of the cute cast (men could've been picked better) but also the way it handles four different kind of romantic relationships in an accurate and delicate way. Good dose of humor too.

Watch this if: You love a good indie drama with a strong shot of comedy that features LGBTQ+ characters in main roles. Three couples gather in a sprawling Southern mansion to convince their friends to get a divorce. Sounds harsh, right? Surprisingly not. Clea Duvall's writer-director debut is funny and pretty thought-provoking. What begins as a simple indie rom-com quickly turns into a study of the real complexities of romantic relationships. Ensemble pieces can be tricky, but the performances were stellar, with every character striking their own unique note. We were deeply moved and reminded to always sympathize with others, no matter how tempting passing judgment can be.

I enjoyed this relationship dramady. It wasn't overly deep and you could see what was going to happen a mile off, but it was still satisfying and the performances were great

I usually really like these slow burning indie dramedies but I couldnt help but be bored by this one, despite good performances throughout

7.4/10 ~March 2, 2017~

This movie started out so well. Realistic characters, great balance of drama and humor, subtle foreshadowing through most of it. Several of the scenes and characters were predictable, but they more or less worked. Then- nothing. Everyone lived happily ever after, huge questions just dropped with a thud and queue the music. What a missed opportunity!

Clea Duvall should write more scripts. Really solid comedy. Keep giving Melanie Lynskey work endlessly please.

didn't finish. blah.

yeah i didn't particularly like this one. just drama.

Complete waste of time.

A sweet little film about friends and long-term hardships; complete with great performances, funny moments, and beautiful cinematography. A great first feature from Clea DuVall. On Netflix.

The truth and a good shot of reality often turn things around. Best to admit one's feelings than to be in denial. The best part was that magnificent house by the water. Quite a spectacular location for an intervention.

This is classified as "drama" and "comedy", but I can only agree with one. It was dramatic enough, but there was a complete lack of things to find funny. What could have been a funny performance from Lynskey went tragically wrong because of her serious drinking problem. I see what was supposed to be happening here for the laughs, but death, alcoholism, and marital strife is not funny subject matter to me.

The Intervention: This modern day knockoff of The Big Chill, co-starring, written and directed by Clea Duvall, features four couples meeting up for a weekend getaway designed to be a marriage intervention for one of the more unhappily married couples. When the intervention goes awry, drama and presumably comedy, ensues. Despite solid performances from Duvall and Natasha Lyonne, the story feels contrived, pretentious and ultimately uninteresting. C

One of the worst movies I have ever seen. Depressing, miserable and not event remotely funny.