• Release year: 2024
• Director: The Thiele Brothers.
• Producers: The Thiele Brothers.
• Screenplay by: The Thiele Brothers.
• Cinematography by: The Thiele Brothers.

Shotgun Commentary: fun, weightless film that capitalises on entertaining absurdity.

Review

Sofa, So Good is very much what the title promises: a silly pun that makes you chuckle despite how much you try to fight it. It is blatantly obvious that it is a project made with friends, the good vibes on camera seep unconsciously into the audience, getting you in a good mood.

A universal adventure

The story follows a man who just threw his couch to the bin and is now in search for another one. His sofa-less existence is slowly eating away his will to live, until his friend finds an advertisement for a sofa being sold. They rapidly go buy it, but they can’t haul it to his house by any means other than carrying it and walking it over.

The adventures, or misadventures more like, of these men trying to carry the sofa across several neighbourhoods is hilarious in its absurdity. The directors make the most of a deserted COVID era to add some desolated western vibes to the narrative, dramatising the protagonists’ encounters with other people to delightfully absurd extents.

The dialogues that take place between characters range from simple monosyllables to long, abstract rants. This variety adds a dimension of reality to the protagonists’ friendship, showcasing a natural progression in their conversations that follows their fate. As for their conversations with other people, they are completely random. In a world that looks like ours but doesn’t quite follow the same rules, it is hard to know what to expect and, regardless of what your trail of thought is, they will manage to surprise you more than once.

Down-to-Earth characters… sort of

As for the acting, everyone involved seems to be having as much fun as the filmmakers themselves. Had this been any other genre, it would completely throw you off. Luckily, the ridiculous nature of the tale works spot on with this attitude. The two main characters have a great relationship, one that is charming and hypnotising in a way. It somehow feeds you good vibes as you watch it, despite the non-stop whining of one of them.

The supporting cast brings variety and a humungous amount of shenanigans prompted by their quirky personalities. All the encounters give off a dangerous vibe due to the bittersweetness of the storyline, one that makes humour out of tragedies. As such, you are always expecting the worst from everyone, mostly ending up pleasantly surprised or out right confused at the end of each interaction.

The great mystery

Lastly, it is worth mentioning that the format of the film is black and white, an odd choice for a comedy. While this author would have loved to have asked the filmmakers about it, not everyone gets the privilege to interview at press events regardless of getting an invitation. Some of us just get some snacks. However, fear not, for this post will be updated the minute we get some answers. Until then, we can only theorise that it might be another way to bring the aesthetic of the film closer to that of classic westerns. Whatever the reason, it is certainly an interesting choice.

All in all, Sofa, So Good is a fun comedy that balances disaster and success in a chaotic but entertaining current of absurdity. It makes of low-budget a way of art, making the most out of difficult circumstances to provide you with a feel-good experience.

Advice to take from this movie:

• Never move a sofa without a proper vehicle.
• Don’t go around making promises you don’t want to keep.
• Life is easier with friends. Especially, strong ones that can help you with your move.

What’s your take? Have you watched Sofa, So Good? Don’t hesitate to let me know your thoughts in the comments section below, or leave a message in my contact page! For more reviews and cinema-related articles, check out the rest of my blog! 😀