We’ve all been there. You like a social media post too soon, or you make a comment on something you immediately wish you hadn’t.
But that’s just the beginning of the comedy of errors in The Everything Pot, an endearing film with a simple premise that explores the most complex of human emotions.
The film stars Lisa Edelstein and Erik Griffin as Rachel and Adam, a couple who has just sent their only daughter off to college, and James Wolk and Delaney Rowe as Charlie and Clare, a couple about to be married.
The connection between the two couples is unclear at first, but then Charlie suggests to Claire that they invite his former colleague and mentor, Rachel, to their small wedding.
Their invitations are all electronic, and they invite Rachel to the wedding with a click of a button. If only they had paper invitations, everything that happens next wouldn’t be so complicated.
Rachel responds to the wedding right away, both excited to be invited to an event and needing to fill the hole left by her only child leaving the nest. However, the awkwardness continues as she buys a gift—a coveted “Everything Pot”—too soon, not realizing it will arrive almost immediately.
Rachel’s awkwardness and obsessiveness over all of this is palpable and, perhaps, one the most relatable things I’ve seen on screen in a long time. Lisa Edelstein plays every moment perfectly, only barely hinting at first that there may be more to her social blunders than meets the eye.
Meanwhile, Clare is overly suspicious of Rachel, which is only exacerbated by those quick responses. It’s here that everything begins to devolve, and both relationships become strained as Charlie and Rachel reconnect, and Adam becomes obsessed — I mean, really obsessed — with getting that Everything Pot back.
The story is full of twists and turns, with the audience expecting one type of conflict and then realizing that the film is about something else entirely. And that pot? It becomes more symbolic than any kitchen appliance should ever have the right to.
The film explores relatable themes regarding all kinds of relationships. Rachel and Adam’s relationship as a married couple who is set in their ways and now starting a new stage of life as empty-nesters is probably the most significant.
Everything that happens with Rachel in the film is really about her coping with that life change and reflecting on how long she’s been in a married relationship.
For Charlie and Clare, it’s about determining whether they’re actually right for one another as they plan to start their lives together as a married couple.
Yet all of that only happens because someone clicks a button just a little too quickly.
Both Lisa Edelstein and James Wolk are a joy to watch in this film, especially in the scenes they share together. There’s an effortless chemistry between the two of them as they reconnect, both in the most sincere moments and in the truly hilarious ones.
The same can’t quite be said for the chemistry between Wolk and Rowe, who play the engaged couple. There’s an inconsistency between them somehow, and while a lot of that may be due to the way Clare’s character is written, there’s a slight disconnect.
Clare’s character is also a bit too nefarious at times, making it hard to find reasons to root for her.
Even still, it turns out that both couples — Rachel and Adam; Charlie and Clare — have a lot to learn from one another. And as they become entwined in each other’s lives, even more questions arise.
There’s a layer of complication when it comes to their careers as well, and that’s all centered upon Gail (Gina Torres), the former boss who is also Rachel’s best friend and neighbor.
That this film can do so much with such a simple, relatable premise is impressive all its own. The Everything Pot also strikes a nice balance of emotion, humor (including a little physical comedy), and romance.
Ultimately, it’s a fun, endearing film to watch, with several surprises and a really satisfying ending.
The Everything Pot was written and directed by Sherise Dorf.
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Ashley Bissette Sumerel
Ashley is the Editor-in-Chief of Eulalie Magazine. Favorite Movies: Sunset Boulevard, Garden State, Modern Times. Favorite TV Shows: Gilmore Girls, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Grey's Anatomy. Favorite Books: Interview with the Vampire, Dracula, City of Glass.
