Lynn Shelton's latest directorial feature may be clichéd, yet it benefits from the endless charm and energy provided by Keira Knightley and Sam Rockwell.

“Say When” (15)
Directed by: Lynn Shelton.
Starring: Keira Knightley, Chloë Grace Moretz and Sam Rockwell.
Rated: ‘15’ for containing strong language and sex references.
Running time: 99 minutes.
Released in UK cinemas from the 7th of November, 2014. 

Growing up can be particularly tough for some adolescents, just take Charlize Theron’s character from Jason Reitman’s “Young Adult” as an example. But let’s face it, in the future we’ll all want to relive those glorious years, filled with the typical aspects of a teenager’s life. Partying, drinking, gaming, they’ll all most probably appear on that long list. Here, “Say When” (named “Laggies” in the US) attempts to tell a story of facing up to the responsibilities of adulthood, yet whilst not being able to escape the crushing similarities to various other films of this context, it remains engaging due to its cast, led by an appealing performance from Knightley, despite her abhorrent attempt at an American accent. 

At the age of 28, Megan (Knightley) chooses to remain a jobless, happy-go-lucky character who apart from working part-time for her father (Jeff Garlin), doesn’t actually have a financially viable career. Instead Megan just wants to have fun, despite her friends decisions to marry, and a proposal from her long-term boyfriend Anthony (Mark Webber). Deciding to escape the events of a quarter-life crisis, Megan befriends a 16-year old teenager named Annika (Moretz), and decides to stay with her for a week, unbeknown to her father, Craig (Rockwell). But as the week goes by, the secret is uncovered, as Craig discovers Megan sleeping within the house. Despite her intrusion, Megan befriends Craig, and their relationship grows, prompting her to make the biggest decision of her adult life so far: Anthony or Craig? 

To argue that “Say When” is an original piece of comical entertainment would be inaccurate, as it is in fact a comedy we may have seen in other forms many times, but it has been made  surprisingly well, as the film benefits from the pleasing performances of its main leads, especially Knightley and Rockwell who have acquired a palatable chemistry, which bounces off of each other exceptionally well.  After playing Hit Girl (from “Kick Ass”) and a young prostitute from “The Equalizer”, “Say When” offers Moretz the chance to portray a ‘normal’ character for once, and produces a charming performance, which is enjoyable. 

The performances may carry the film throughout, yet without the allure of the cast, “Say When” would prove to be an arduous affair, along with a partly clichéd script and plot. Written by Andrea Seigel, the script is occasionally whimsical and dramatic, fitting the tone of Rockwell’s acting especially well, but Knightley isn’t American, so why cast a British actress? Well, the film reveals her likeable talent throughout, but there are many opportunities to create funnier sequences for the cast, yet Seigel focuses upon the dramatic elements perhaps a little too much. 

Verdict

“Say When” is an easy-going film with a balance of comedy and drama which doesn't always hit the mark, yet the performances of Knightley, Rockwell and Moretz are praiseworthy, managing to salvage this piece from becoming tedious. 

6 Stars out of 10

Written by Scott Gentry

Film/TV Rating Key

1-2 stars out of ten = Awful.

3-4 stars out of ten = Average.

5-6 stars out of ten = Good.

7-8 stars out of ten = Excellent.
9-10 stars out of ten = Amazing.

Trailer