Jess Weixler Movies

A tall tale turns out to have long-term consequences in this dark comedy-drama. Lonnie (Joshua Leonard) used to dream of being a musician, but reality stepped in and now he's working a dreary day job and married to Clover (Jess Weixler), who is finishing her law degree. Lonnie and Clover are also the parents of a six-month-old daughter, and between work, school and looking after the baby, their free time has all but disappeared, which means Lonnie never gets to jam with his loser buddy Tank (Mark Webber). One day, Lonnie decides he just can't bear another day at work so he tells his boss that the baby is sick and he can't come in. Lonnie enjoys his day off so much that he chooses to skip work again the next morning, but this time his excuse ups the ante and leads him down a path that he won't be able to easily explain to his employers, his co-workers or Clover. Adapted from a story by T.C. Boyle, The Lie was the first feature film from director Joshua Leonard, who also plays Lonnie. The film received its world premiere at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

A man gains a new lease on life when circumstances force him to take over the family business in this comedy drama from director David Kaplan. Samir (Aasif Mandvi) is a traditionally trained chef who works as the sous chef in an exclusive restaurant in Manhattan, but when he learns he's been turned down for an expected promotion, he leaves in a huff and isn't asked to return. Samir is convinced he's cut out for better things and considers heading for Europe to attend a culinary academy in Paris. But Samir's plans quickly change when he learns that his father (Harish Patel) has suffered a severe heart attack and someone needs to look after the family business, a dingy Indian restaurant in Queens that's fallen on hard times. While Samir has spent years learning to prepare gourmet cuisine, he's never had much experience making Indian food, and his mother (Madhur Jaffrey) is singularly unimpressed with his efforts. Samir has to hire a new cook to assist him, and he ends up with Akbar (Naseeruddin Shah), a cabbie who claims to have cooked for many of India's leading dignitaries, and with Akbar's help Samir learns about the soul of Indian cuisine, as well as a few things about himself. Samir also tries to make time for a budding romance with Carrie (Jess Weixler), who worked with him at his old job. Today's Special was an official selection at the 2009 BFI London Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

One couple's stormy relationship is examined out of chronological order in this drama written and directed by Jay DiPietro, adapted from his play. Peter (Jason Ritter) and Vandy (Jess Weixler) meet when both are college students; they fall in love and live together for a while, but on a certain fundamental level they're never fully comfortable with one another, and eventually they go their separate ways. But rather than tell their story from beginning to end, Peter and Vandy jumps back and forth in time, with the couple midway through their romance before we've seen their first date. DiPietro allows us to see how the flaws in their relationship -- Peter's discomfort around Vandy and their habit of bickering about petty things -- were present at the beginning, lurking around the corner even in their happiest moments. Peter and Vandy received its world premiere at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Ishai Setton's comedy drama The Big Bad Swim concerns the people who sign up to attend a beginner adult swim class. Some of the people involved in the class include Amy (Paget Brewster), whose marriage is on the rocks; Jordan (Jess Weixler), a stripper; and the teacher Noah (Jeff Branson), who eventually experiences romantic sparks with Amy. Another subplot involves a documentary film being made about Jordan. The Big Bad Swim had its world premiere at the 2006 Tribeca Film Festival. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi