Although loaded with inherited musical talent, she’s only good at drinking. Self-loathing and systematic self-destruction make Jude (Amber Heard) incapable of making it on time to even sing commercial jingles.
With no money, and no motivation, she slinks back to live with her father Paul Lombard (Christopher Walken), a faded Sinatra-ish crooner who lives in the “poor” section of the Hamptons. Multiple Andy Warhol-like portraits of Paul loom over the living room and illustrate how suffocating it is to be anywhere near Paul. Back in his home means Jude is embroiled in family dysfunction. Her bitter, yet highly-functional sister, Corinne (Kelli Garner), is married to Tim (Hamish Linklater) who was in a relationship with Jude long ago before Corinne stole him away.
Burned-out Paul is married for the gazillionth time; his current wife, Lucille (Ann Magnuson), is a lush. Being drunk seems the only way to survive being in love with overbearing, narcissistic Paul.
Oliver Platt shines as Alan, a long-time family lawyer and friend who seems the only one in Jude’s life who sees and loves her despite her nothing-but-flawed lifestyle. The plot is light but the strength of this film is the two charismatic leads, Walken and Heard, who make you care about these comically heartbreaking characters.
One big perk is hearing Walken and Heard perform music. Written and directed by Robert Edwards.
“One More Time” is available On Demand. Official Selection at Tribeca Film Festival 2015. Comedy drama. Not rated. 97 min.
