Kitschy and tediously drawn-out home video credits give way to a humorous portrait of arrested development in the vein of Frances Ha and Drifters. While stylistically closer to the latter, Say When’s primarily comic outlook also includes authentic depiction of female friendship more reminiscent of Frances Ha.

But it takes its time getting there; a threadbare narrative betrays director Shelton’s recent work with TV’s shorter running times. Several scenes consist of little more than poking fun at Megan’s (Knightley) more sorted friends, including Ellie Kemper in a near-duplication of her Bridesmaids role.

Say When entertains thanks to an odd blend of implausible comic scenarios, teenage rites-of-passage nostalgia, and above all, a decent cast. It may feature a highly predictable conclusion but through the leads’ unconventional friendship, Seigel’s script flirts with interesting commentary on modern family units.

RATING: 3/5

INFORMATION

CAST: Keira Knightley, Chloё Grace Moretz, Sam Rockwell

DIRECTOR: Lynn Shelton

WRITER: Andrea Seigel

SYNOPSIS: Twenty-something Megan panics when her boyfriend proposes, and takes time to reassess her life by hiding out in the home of her new friend, 16-year-old Annika, and Annika’s single dad.