Mutual Appreciation

Mutual Appreciation is a 2005 independent film by Andrew Bujalski who previously directed Funny Ha Ha (2002). The script is primarily dialogue between a group of young people as they try to determine where they fit in the world. It is considered part of the mumblecore movement.

Plot
The principal characters are Lawrence, Ellie, Alan and Sara. Lawrence, a teaching assistant, and Ellie have been together for about a year. Lawrence loves Ellie, and she outwardly reciprocates while masking her doubts about their relationship. Sara is a radio disc jockey. She meets Alan, a former member of a band called The Bumblebees, at the radio station and invites him to her apartment.

Cast

 * Justin Rice — Alan
 * Rachel Clift — Ellie
 * Andrew Bujalski — Lawrence
 * Seung-Min Lee — Sara
 * Kevin Micka — Dennis
 * Bill Morrison — Walter
 * Pamela Corkey — Patricia
 * Mary Varn — Rebecca
 * Kate Dollenmayer — Hildy
 * Keith Gessen — Julian

Production
Shot in black-and-white, the film stars Justin Rice of the indie rock band Bishop Allen and features music from the band's debut album Charm School. Andrew Bujalski's previous film Funny Ha Ha starred Christian Rudder, also of Bishop Allen.

Reception
On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 87% based on 54 reviews, and an average rating of 7.7/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "Director Bujalski continues to give cinematic voice to awkward, literate twentysomethings with noteworthy smarts and tenderness." On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 84 out of 100, based on 21 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".