Breaking Upwards Directed by:Daryl Wein Starring:Zoe Lister-Jones and Daryl Wein Now playing: IFC Center - 323 Sixth Ave., NYC
After four years of living together finds them in a rut, New York couple Zoe and Daryl devise a plan to slowly break up. Scheduling days "on" and "off" from each other, the two attempt to break their co-dependent cycle. What ensues is confusion, anger and heartbreak as the two attempt to navigate the world separately. The two soon learn that even the best laid plans can't account for emotions.
Breaking Upwards is based on an experiment real-life couple Lister-Jones and Wein conducted on themselves. What is notable about this film is that from script to editing to the soundtrack, Breaking Upwards is 100% independent. Not only did Wein write and direct the film, he also edited it in his living room. Lister-Jones sings on a good deal of the soundtrack. While I found the story a bit predictable, I do admire the truly the independent spirit with which Breaking Upwards was made. Definitely worth checking out.