Synopsis:
Set in a memory of New York City just before the pandemic, PLATONIC follows Olive (a gay Brooklynite) and Billy (her straight best friend) as they look for love and document their search via voicemail messages to each other.
Oftentimes when there is a shift in culture or social norms, it’s not always apparent to everyone. Those who are aware tend to be those who are a part of the shift and those who pay attention to the growth and maturation of society. The rest, well they yell, resist, and fight it because understanding others’ points of view is seemingly too hard a concept to grasp. There’s a shift that comes with every budding generation, usually to benefit everyone. Sometimes it’s technology, other times its inclusivity, sexuality, and equality. The latter being the most important and is usually paired with the others. With all that said, there isn’t always entertainment that represents the current time while it’s happening and in an accurate way. Usually getting an over-dramatized version of dating and relationships, we often get a creator’s imagination instead of reality through a creative lens. Platonic feels as real as you can get. Not only does it present itself as authentic but it speaks in the millennial voice of right now. Furthermore, the 10-episode series encapsulates the paradigm of modern dating, its complexities, as well as sexuality.
It’s relevant, grounded, easily digestible, and enticing. Episode 3 alone will make you want to know more about the main character, Olive, and the gravitational pull she has on everyone. The cinematography is intimate and captivating and supercharges each episode. The storyline is very relatable as most of us are at some point looking for love and tell a friend every detail. The friendship between Olive and Billy even resembles one that I had for years. Initially, I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about its short format with all but one episode being under six minutes, but I loved it. Erin C. Buckley was able to gracefully to fit complex emotion and story into all 10 episodes. I found Platonic to be a great watch. I’ve watched it multiple times and am impressed with each viewing. Its rewatchability is high.
Plot & Pace
The story follows best friends, Olive and Billy as the two try to navigate the dating landscape of New York City. With both having busy lives, they leave each other voicemails to fill in the other on their successes and failures of dating. Even though the two seem to have decently happy lives, neither is as satisfied as they let on. The pacing is great. With the episodes being short, there is still a story and build-up in each one.
Characters & Chemistry
The two focal characters didn’t have many opportunities to have chemistry with each other since they constantly played voice tag. However, they had plenty of chances with others, even if uncomfortable. Olive (Summer Spiro), as I mentioned previously has a way of drawing everyone around her in Her energy extends through the screen and pulls you in as well. As she points out, she has chemistry with everyone and her interactions prove that to be true. She enthralls every woman she goes on a date with but they never pan out to be more than a fling. Her issue she seems to be looking for love in the wrong places but she wins in the lust department. Billy (Ryan King) has awkward written all over him. His interactions never go as smoothly as he’d like, except for one. He says he identifies as straight but I believe that what he felt was simply college experimentation might be more orientation than he realizes.
Platonic is available now, exclusively on YouTube. Enjoy and stay safe.
Director: Erin C. Buckley
Writer: Erin C. Buckley
Runtime: 1o episodes: all under 6m 30sec
Rating: 4.5 out of 5