While We’re Young is a solid indie that many adults (even of the mainstream variety) should be able to relate to. It’s a comedy/drama about a middle-aged, childless couple named Josh and Cornelia Srebnick (Ben Stiller, Naomi Watts) whose best friends have just had a baby and seem to be drifting away. Then they meet Jamie and Darby (Adam Driver, Amanda Seyfried), a pair of twenty-something hipsters who become their new besties and inject new life into the Srebnicks’ otherwise stagnant personal and professional lives.
Here’s the gist: Josh (Stiller) is a filmmaker who’s been working on the same documentary for 10 years and refuses to accept any editing or funding assistance from his father-in-law (played by Charles Grodin), a legend in the documentary industry. Jamie (Driver) is an aspiring filmmaker who seeks Josh’s mentorship on a documentary about tracking down a Facebook friend. As Josh and Jamie (and their wives) proceed to work and play together, ulterior motives for the friendship begin to surface, as do opportunities for introspection and change.
While We’re Young offers up some comedic and poignant insights into growing older, growing up, embracing change, and appreciating the status quo. Thematically, it’s sort of the flip side of This Is 40, but with a sharper, smarter satirical edge. It was written and directed by Noah Baumbach whose credits include the arty-leaning Frances Ha, Greenberg, and The Squid and the Whale. If you’re familiar with those titles and liked those flicks, then chances are (very) good that you’ll like While We’re Young.