‘Molli And Max In The Future’ Review: “An ever present rom-com classic”

The perfect rom-com feels timeless, with enough chemistry to fill the galaxy. And while Molli and Max in the Future might be set in the far-flung future, it still captures that timeless feel with two stars perfectly matched in wit with banter that makes the brisk 94-minute runtime fly by. Throughout the film, the two leads orbit one another over 12 years, 4 planets, 3 dimensions, and a space cult, and I never wanted it to end.

From writer-director Michael Lukk Litwak, the movie follows Zosia Mamet’s Molli and Aristotle Athari’s Max as a chance encounter in an asteroid field brings them into each other’s lives. It quickly becomes clear the two have chemistry and are practically made for one another, but in typical rom-com fashion, they can’t see that themselves. So, starting as friends, the two come and go from each other’s lives while the universe turns around them. And this is one aspect that makes the film feel so charming. Despite this grand and flashy setting, Molli and Max in the Future never feel out of touch because the focus never breaks from Molli and Max; their relationship is always front and center for us.

Another aspect of the film that grounded it and gave it a charming appeal was its use of practical effects. Originally designed to be shot entirely on a green screen, Litwak and Zach Stoltzfus, the director of photography on the project, utilized LED walls and a rear-screen projector to create Molli and Max’s otherworldly settings. From here, practical miniatures, giant robot Lego stop-motion gladiator fights, and more crafty production designs created a futuristic realm that was easy to fall into but did not distract from the story.

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And the story is perfectly laid out in the title, Molli and Max in the Future. The leads are the focus, and essentially, the entirety of the movie is just the two of them talking, but the chemistry between Mamet and Athari meant it never got old. Mamet, known for her role in HBO’s Girls, felt naturally funny and smart as Molli, but she also brought forth a level of vulnerability that made her likable. While she was impulsive, it was complimented by Athari’s calm and collected Max. Having previously been a cast member on Saturday Night Live, his reactions and improvisations felt natural and helped build his chemistry with Mamet’s Molli. As the two characters spend more and more time together over the years, you can feel their familiarity and love grow naturally, so much so that you just want to shake them and tell them they are meant to be. But the journey they have to go on to discover it for themselves is what makes this movie feel special, as their love shines through every scene, even if they can’t always see it.

What made me fall in love with this film was not just Molli and Max but also the score that follows them. From composer Alex Winkler, the movie features an easy, breezy original jazz soundtrack that felt ever so charming. Balancing large, bombastic musical cues to sad and touching melancholic tunes, the score feels like its own character reacting to the state of Molli and Max’s relationship. It’s rooting for them just as much as we are, and you can feel it in the rising notes of their theme, and it’s just as sad seeing them falter. Winkler created a wonderful score that viewers will revisit even after the movie; in fact, I’m listening to it while I write this review.

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The only fault I had with the film was some of its satirical notes. As I said previously, I loved how, despite its futuristic setting, Molli and Max in the Future still feels timeless. However, when the story satirizes more present-day topics like the pandemic and current political climate, it takes you out of the moment. But given this film is clearly a product of those things, it is clear why they are essential to the story and characters.

Litwak has crafted a wonderful modern-day romance set in the far-off future, yet it never feels out of reach. Molli and Max keep us grounded throughout their relationship as we watch them learn and grow into who they are meant to be. As they learn what it means to love each other but also themselves, you only ever want to root for them. So, while Molli and Max may be far from the future, their love is present for all to see.– Jacob Campbell

Rating: 8/10

Molli and Max in the Future comes to theaters on February 9 and digital on March 22.