Nick Kroll is known these days as the creative mind behind Netflix’s “Big Mouth,” an animated sitcom about middle schoolers going through puberty. The critical acclaim and success of that show seems to have given Kroll the opportunity to screenwrite “Olympic Dreams.” Writing and starring in the indie film, Kroll plays a dentist volunteering in the Olympic village, during the 2018 South Korean Olympics, who subtly falls for athlete skier Penelope (Alexi Pappas)
I saw “Olympic Dreams” a few weeks after its world premiere last March at the SXSW Film Festival. Performance-wise, the film purports to deliver nuanced lead roles, but there is a tonal inconsistency in the film which makes the connection between the two romantic leads feel a little too disingenuous. The cute and quirky connection is somewhat charming at first, but quickly deteriorates into the maudlin. Penelope is underwritten, lacking the emotional traits needed to make the character click. T
“Lost in Translation” it ain’t, although Kroll was clearly inspired by Sofia Coppola’s film, but, if that 2003 classic had undeniable chemistry between its two leads, not to mention masterful direction and screenwriting from Coppola, Kroll’s film lacks all that and the depth to make us truly care for its two lovebirds.
“Olympic Dreams’ is the first movie ever filmed on location during the Olympics in Athletes Village. The behind-the-scenes setting of the film is far more interesting than the actual plot, as we see athletes managing their free time, pre and post sporting event, at village premises, schmoozing their way into the cafeteria’s, game centers and even scrolling through Tinder to see which athletes in the area might be willing participants for a night of fun. With such an uninvolving and thin romance to its name, the unprecedented access to the Olympic Village is somewhat squandered here.
Kroll does, however, show commendable chops as a dramatic actor here, I’m curious to see what he does next, especially outside the realm of comedy. He’s tried drama before, most noticeably in 2016’s “Loving,” as lawyer Bernie Cohen, and in 2018’s post-WWII drama “Operation Finale.” Other than that, it’s been mostly comedy for Kroll, delivering supporting turns in such films as “The House,” “Dinner for Schmucks,” and “Get Him to the Greek.”
“Olympic Dreams” opens this Friday, October 14th in L.A. and N.Y.