Written and directed by Pete Ohs, co-written by stars Stephanie Hunt and Will Madden, Diane and Fox love to work. Unfortunately, they live in a polarized world where having a job is illegal. Also starring: Frank Mosley, Alexi Pappas and John S. Davies.
Making a story like this where you are completely turning the world on its head yet attempting to hold onto a sense of being recognisable or relatable, while telling it through a lens of deadpan comedy, is a challenge to say the least. A challenge that Pete Ohs, Stephanie Hunt and Will Madden were up for because the way that they manage to commit so strongly to this offbeat story and balance the humour with sincerity is quite impressive.
It’s inherently quirky and so not going to work for everyone but if you can appreciate its odd and dry-witted qualities, then it’s surprisingly charming. There’s something quite old-fashioned to it, throwing back to days of more physical comedy, absurdism and a big sense of imagination. The writing keeps a good beat while the aesthetic is superb. The level of texture and sharpness to its monochrome visual is really satisfying to watch unfold.
There are also some fantastic music choices which add to Love and Work’s personality. Then there’s the performances which are delightfully twisted, not in a dark, violent way but in an intensely spirited, addict-esque manner. Stephanie Hunt and Will Madden give us work junkies looking for their next fix, they’re filled with a strange, unrelenting energy which is unexpectedly captivating. It’s very much not a traditional romance or flirtation and yet the connection is there, making them uniquely lovable.
Love and Work brings a post-apocalyptic vibe to the party without having to entirely destroy the world. It’s a highly unusual atmosphere and can feel like a lot of the same towards the end but it still holds a distinctive charm. The direction and cinematography from Pete Ohs are surprisingly gorgeous with an excellent, hugely enjoyable aesthetic. Stephanie Hunt and Will Madden create a charming odd couple, backwards soulmates bonding over the search for a hit of mundanity and daily drudgery. It feels simultaneously extremely modern and as if throwing back to a simpler time of comedy in the late 1970s or early 1980s.
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