In “Adult Best Friends” (Visit Films), Katie (co-screenwriter Katie Corwin) and Delaney (director and co-screenwriter Delaney Buffett, daughter of Jimmy) have been besties since middle school when they bonded at age 12. Katie lives with her hot boyfriend John (Mason Gooding, son of Cuba), which is a bone of contention for Delaney who feels like she’s losing her BFF.
Additionally, Delaney is a bit of a slacker and still has some growing up to do. For example, she barely participates in her work Zooms with boss Alex (Casey Wilson) and flaming co-worker Luca (out actor Owen Thiele), where she refuses to turn on her camera. It doesn’t help that roommate Roxy (Cazzie David, daughter of Larry), a poor excuse for a Katie replacement, is even more miserable than Delaney.
Katie is well-aware of Delaney’s issues. So, when John proposes to her, she struggles to find the right time to tell Delaney. Katie’s older brother Henry (out actor Zachary Quinto) and sister-in-law Daria (Heather Mazur) are of no help to Katie. An awkward interaction between Delaney and Katie with old nemesis Gwen (Miki Ishikawa) and her husband Theo (Alexander Hodge) doesn’t help matters.
Katie’s solution is a weekend getaway to the beach with Delaney. But you didn’t think that would go smoothly, did you? First, the arrangement at the weekend rental where they’re staying has multiple strings attached, including the presence of Dougie (Cory Walls), the obsessive owner of the house. Then, a night at a bar goes south when Katie and Delaney cross paths with Charlie (Connor Hines), Kyle (Benjamin Norris), Tommy (Michael Rowland), and Phil (Carmen Christopher), a group of guys at the beach town for Charlie’s bachelorette party.
Predictably, things go from bad to worse. Still unable to find the right time to tell Delaney about her engagement, Katie hides her and Delaney’s mobile phones, which have text messages from friends about the news. Then, a second interface with the bachelor party bros adds additional drama to an already fraught situation, leading to a lengthy pause in Delaney and Katie’s friendship.
Fear not; a happy ending is waiting just around the proverbial corner. One of the things that keeps “Adult Best Friends” interesting is the fragile friendship between Delaney and Katie (who are, in fact, lifelong best friends). Gooding also does a good job in what is essentially a thankless role.
Rating: C+
