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A lost New Yorker finds independence from her fiancé while vacationing in Jackson Hole over the fourth of July holiday in Peak Season (2024).
As the daughter of Mexican immigrants, Amy (Claudia Restrepo) is on the fast-track to achieving the American dream. She’s engaged to Max (Ben Coleman), a handsome businessman with a wealthy background. Thanks to his family’s connections, the couple has access to swanky digs in Wyoming as well as job prospects back home for Amy.
Yet once the Millennials reach their Teton Range destination, Max’s supposed off time is spent working remotely. As such, Amy winds up seeing the sights with Loren (Derrick Joseph DeBlasis), a free-spirited fly-fishing instructor who lives out of his car. Despite his lack of prospects, Loren seems like a catch to Amy since the easy-going eyeful is all ears opposed to Max, who is all work and no play.
When Max must head home to New York for a few days to seal a deal, Amy and Loren grow closer. Like Céline (Julie Delpy) and Jesse (Ethan Hawke) in Richard Linklater’s romantic dramedies Before Sunrise (1995) and Before Sunset (2004), the prospective soul mates have a limited window to develop a bond by sharing their philosophical views on life.
And like those films, Peak Season offers naturalistic dialogue and a realistic pace that comes off as authentic. Having said that, the plot lacks a necessary tension to boost the characters’ stakes. Although their conversations are more interesting than the ones between the lovers in Past Lives (2023), the simple story would benefit from a little more conflict.
For example, Max’s flirty childhood friend Fiona (Caroline Kwan) could have been more intertwined into the action. Also slightly problematic is the way in which Loren’s dog Dorothy haphazardly disappears whenever convenient. Of course, these are minor complaints considering the 82-minute film is quite likable.
Directors Steven Kanter and Henry Loevner (who also wrote the screenplay) use a low-key approach while delivering amusing moments, meaningful subtext, and lovely shots (the final one is particularly moving). In other words, this getaway pic packs a lot into a small bag.
Peak Season opens today, August 2, in select theaters.