Appropriate Behaviour

There has been a lot of talk of Appropriate Behavior since it’s award winning screening at the Sundance Film Festival in January of 2014. It was also shown as part of the London Film Festival last year and it is finally ready for a UK release. So is it worth the industry “buzz” or is it just another low budget indie movie from a hip for now twenty something director?

Appropriate Behavior centers around Shirin played by Desiree Akhavan who is also the films writer and director. Recently split from her live in girlfriend, “Can you tell I’m dead inside?” she asks her friend Crystal. Shirin has to examine where her life is and where is it going. Her life is also complicated by her cultural background. Being part of a perfect Persian family isn't easy, acceptance eludes her from all sides and her family doesn't know she's bisexual. Her recently split from ex-girlfriend, Maxine, can't understand why she doesn't tell them. Even the six-year-old boys in her moviemaking class are too ADD to focus on her for more than a second. Following a family announcement of her brother's betrothal to a parentally approved Iranian prize catch, Shirin embarks on a private rebellion involving a series of pansexual escapades, while trying to decipher what went wrong with Maxine.

Appropriate Behavior is an excellent debut from Desiree Akhavan, if she did just one of the three contributions to this movie then it would be impressive enough but she excels in the direction the writing and above all the acting. Akhaven also choose well in her cast members. Rebecca Henderson who plays her girlfriend is excellent and Scott Adsit, mostly known as Peter Hornberger for thirty rock, is excellent as Ken the pot head who keeps losing his kids. One to look out for is Halley Feiffer who plays the sex hungry Crystal, best friend of Shirin she is a little scene stealer and an excellent comic actress that is destined for great things. As always though one of the best co-stars in this kind of movie is the setting and Brooklyn is always a joy. This is destined to be a cult classic for many years to come.