An alien is LARPing as a dead BFF. Well, points for unique plot, I’m Totally Fine. Is it totally fine? Oh, Hell no. But don’t let me spoil your good time doing … whatever.
For such a headstrong premise, I’m Totally Fine didn’t give its players much to work with. I’m guessing there were budget concerns. They secured two B-listers and a house. Did that break the bank? No, but Disneyland would, so they decided to give the alien the extended tour of the property. Sure, that will cover 48 hours.
Vanessa (Jillian Bell) is suffering. Her BFF just died (she had a “hole in her heart”) (literally) (I think). They were in business together. Their start-up company makes uniquely flavored soda. The company had just gotten off the ground when one of the partners dies. Gee, I hope it wasn’t the problem-solving partner. The film has some fun at this point with dark humor. Vanessa and Jennifer (Natalie Morales) had planned a big party to celebrate their first commercial contract and now they can’t un-order the party.
As the woman forced to party against her will, this is the kind of scene where Jillian Bell shines. And she’s forced to party alone which is a great reminder about her place in the world. So here’s the scene Vanessa is “partying” alone, sadly, until Jennifer shows up. And it’s not really Jennifer, of course; it’s an alien posing as Jennifer. Don’t worry; this alien is benevolent despite wearing a dead BFF suit. Oh, and alien Jennifer has all Jennifer’s memories which is a tad unnerving. I mean, if you have Jennifer’s memories, that means you have access to her brain. So … where is the real Jennifer again?
At this point, what could have been a great adventure turns into more of a Q&A sesh. This is where Indie film loses to Hollywood drivel nine times out of ten. The reason being a studio team of producers
would spitball opinions on what a Jennifer’s Body alien might like to do and then everybody in the room would decide between what would make a splash and what was feasible. In this script, clearly there was no spitballing and nothing was feasible, so most of this movie is Jennifer the alien answering questions about Jennifer the non-alien until the party DJ (Harvey Guillén) shows up. Partying with two is better than partying with one, even if one of the parties is an alien.
There is very little to this film. I like both leads and Harvey Guillén, but nobody is doing their best work here. Jillian Bell decided frustrating and slightly pissed off would rule the day while Natalie Morales played an alien the way one might play an alien in a bad SNL sketch. (If the alien has all Jennifer’s memories, wouldn’t it remember how she talks and the kind of things she says?) The “mechanical alien” route is never one I recommend. Even if you’re doing a middle school tribute to robotics, it’s still gonna come off as cheap. Congratulations; I “believe” you’re an alien; now are you really gonna do that voice the whole time? So, unfortunately, I feel this wasn’t a great film. Will there be any long-term repercussions? Nah, I’m Totally Fine.
Vanessa is the midst of pained throes
Her deceased friend is an alien pose
This other world exposure
May not end in closure
But at least she can find the Doritos
Rated TV-MA, 83 Minutes
Director: Brandon Dermer
Writer: Alisha Ketry
Genre: Abduction?
Type of being most likely to enjoy this film: Dead BFFs?
Type of being least likely to enjoy this film: Aliens
