Comedienne Megan Stalter receives an overdue leading role in Hannah Pearl Utt’s Cora Bora.  While the film may not make her an overnight star, similar to the likes of Bridesmaids’ Melissa McCarthy or Borat Subsequent Moviefilm’s Maria Bakalova, Cora Bora is a solid enough vehicle for Stalter to show her capabilities as a potential character actor.

Stalter plays the titular musician who, after moving to Los Angeles from Portland to pursue more opportunities for her music career, is in a self-imposed rut.  She’s grateful for each gig she earns, but she also knows she can’t sustain a desirable livelihood with tips from open mic performances.  Relocating to LA has also tested her romance with girlfriend Justine (Jojo T. Gibbs), as they try making their relationship work under open conditions.  Cora seems content with her unconventional pursuit for success, but her jealousy rises when she finds out Justine is seeing another woman (Ayden Mayeri) who takes an active interest in her partner.

Cora races home to Portland, and almost immediately starts getting in her own way.  Her insistence to remind people of who she is, which also includes pouting and eye rolls, begins to test the patience of those around her. A similar reaction happens with the audience.  Stalter commits to the role and her line deliveries have a really funny undercurrent of condescension.  But Utt, unfortunately, wants big reactions from Stalter, which adds a strike against the audience’s tolerance towards Cora’s entitlement.  The film finds a good groove when Cora is drawn away from the people she knows and is dropped into unfamiliar, usually sexual, situations;  like a one-night-stand with a “flat-earther” (Thomas Mann) or an impromptu orgy.  These scenes dilate away from the plot, but they add much needed detail and vulnerability to Stalter’s character.

Cora Bora is a minor movie that earns a minor recommendation.  Aside from its reasonable depiction of polyamory, the movie doesn’t feel that fresh or nuanced.  However, a decent number of laughs – thanks to the cast – will keep home viewers happy.

**********

Do You Tweet? Follow These Tweeple:

Addison Wylie: @AddisonWylie