Italian
A day in the life of a struggling New York broker
The sweltering summer struggle
In the heart of New York City, where the summer heat can be unbearable, a working air conditioning unit becomes a prized possession. Simon Hacker’s father-daughter comedy, “Notice to Quit”, captures this sentiment perfectly. The film follows a real estate broker on a particularly challenging day, highlighting the promises and relief an AC unit can offer. Set across all five boroughs, Hacker’s film draws inspiration from the Safdie brothers but ultimately reveals its own unique struggles, much like the characters it portrays.
A day in the life of Andy Singer
Andy Singer, portrayed by Michael Zegen of “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” fame, is a man at his wit’s end. His dreams of becoming an actor have only led to a minor toothpaste ad campaign, making him somewhat recognizable but far from successful. His job as a real estate broker involves showing increasingly undesirable apartments to potential renters who quickly lose interest. To make matters worse, his side hustle of selling working appliances from these units to a shady reseller is becoming more difficult due to the poor quality of the apartments his boss assigns him. Adding to his woes, Andy is being evicted for late rent payments, all on the day his estranged 10-year-old daughter, Anna, shows up unannounced to inform him that she and her mother are moving to Orlando.
The coffee stain metaphor
At the start of his day, Andy spills coffee on his shirt, a detail that seems overly symbolic but sets the tone for the film. This small mishap underscores the film’s theme of asking the audience to sympathize with Andy, despite his questionable actions. As Andy spends the day with his precocious daughter Anna, played by Kasey Bella Suarez, the film becomes a sweat-fueled journey of begrudging atonement, though not necessarily significant growth.
The father-daughter dynamic
The premise of a father and daughter bonding over a day filled with challenges could easily become overly sentimental. However, the film avoids this by immersing the audience in the gritty world of two-bit realtors and the oppressive atmosphere of the city. Mika Altskan’s intimate handheld cinematography adds to the discomfort, making every surface in New York, from subway chairs to sidewalk benches, feel unclean. Despite this, there’s a sense that Andy and Anna’s day together is too neatly packaged, even amidst the chaos they encounter. The city is portrayed as dirty and unforgiving, yet the film presents an oddly sanitized view of its central character.
The broker’s plight
The real estate broker is a fitting symbol for the many ways people are swindled in New York City. Andy’s ex-wife’s remark, “Putting gel in your hair and lying to people doesn’t count as work,” is met with Andy’s self-deprecating response, “I use mousse.” This exchange highlights Andy’s awareness of the scams and schemes that have kept him afloat. However, Hacker and Zegen struggle to fully commit to portraying Andy in this light. The film suggests that if Andy were dealt a better hand, he’d be a better person and father. His actions are often excused, even when his daughter calls him out for using a cockroach to avoid paying a diner bill, potentially endangering the cook’s job. Andy dismisses it with indifference, saying, “That was an opportunity, not a crime.”
The chemistry conundrum
The film acknowledges Andy’s flailing as part of his failing shtick, but this doesn’t make the 90-minute runtime any easier. The lack of chemistry between Zegen and Suarez further hampers the film, especially as Andy and Anna’s relationship begins to improve. Their stilted onscreen camaraderie does little to endear the audience to their journey.
A sitcom pilot in disguise
With its neat premise and lived-in sense of place, “Notice to Quit” feels like an amiable sitcom pilot set in a Safdie brothers’ version of New York City, where time is of the essence if Andy wants to keep all his fingers. However, by avoiding the maudlin hijinks of sitcoms and the anxiety-inducing stunts of the Safdie brothers, Hacker’s film struggles to find its groove. Despite its brisk runtime and fast-paced plotting, the film ultimately overstays its welcome.
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