As part of the core group of directors associated with ‘mumblecore’ films, it’s somewhat shocking to say that this is Jay Duplass’s first solo-directed feature, given that all his other work has been co-directed with his brother, Mark Duplass. As far as a great project to debut as a solo director, The Baltimorons is perfect for the director. Co-written by Michael Strassner, who also stars, this is a character and dialogue-driven film that’s equally funny as it is charming.

Strassner plays Cliff, who at the start of the film is heading to Christmas Eve dinner with his girlfriend when an accident sends him in search of a dentist to help him at such short notice. Fortunately, Didi (Liz Larsen) is willing to come into her dental office and help out Cliff. The newly sober and also recently retired improv comedian overhears Didi talking about being alone on Christmas, and almost as if he was prompted with a “yes and then” he pushes to get a meal with her. What follows is an evening of hijinks that begins with Didi initially helping Cliff escape with his car from impound, to her showing up with her extended family and her ex-husband’s Christmas partner, with whom he merrily introduces himself to everyone.

As with all the best films of a similar type, like the Duplass brothers’ Cyrus, the awkwardness and irritation, at times, actions of the two main characters all come from places of them being written as real people. Does it make any sense at first that Cliff, who still has his partner waiting for him to return to her mother’s home, suddenly gallops across Baltimore with this Dentist? Does it make sense for her to continue alone with it time and time again? Definitely not at first, but as we get to understand these two, there’s trauma in their lives that’s leading them down these paths. They’re both lonely in different ways, and this night, whatever it is becoming, is an exciting adventure they needed.

Michael Strassner is amazing as Cliff, and you get a real sense that he’s this big teddy bear who wants to make everyone happy, even if he can cause harm along the way. And Liz Larsen is hopefully going to get a career surge following this release, as she is phenomenal as Didi. A remarkably human performance, with numerous nuanced moments that ground this film as it needs to be, allowing it to be both dramatic and humorous.

Baltimore itself also becomes a character of its own in this film, thanks to the cinematography from Jonathan Bregel and the smooth editing from Jay Deuby. I’ve never been to Baltimore, but from the street scenes to the wide shots of our characters’ car travelling through streets, it all blended into giving The Baltimorons a doc-like feel and sensation that adds to its lived-in characters.

[Dylan attended a screening of The Baltimorons thanks to the Melbourne International Film Festival]