New York filmmaker J.C. Khoury makes his narrative feature debut with the refreshingly original romantic comedy, The Pill. Khoury achieved this feat by first, by framing a fresh script idea around a familiar situation. Secondly, he encouraged and guided his cast to organically improvise 20% of the film’s dialogue.
Khoury imparts that the genesis for the idea came from a real life scare involving a broken condom and a hurried trip to the drugstore. “I remember being way more neurotic about the situation than my girlfriend was. When the pharmacist told me the emergency contraception was two pills, the film’s hook immediately popped into my head.”
The low budget film is richly supported by its skilled leads, Noah Bean as Fred a fearful would-be novelist, and Rachel Boston as Mindy, a free-spirited woman.
The Film Summary of The Pill
Fred (Noah Bean) ends up at Mindy’s (Rachel Boston) Manhattan apartment, after meeting each other earlier in the evening. Instead of hooking up, Fred considers going home, because he “has things to do early the next morning”. Mindy bluntly asks him if he has a girlfriend, which he denies.
He agrees to stay, and they starting playing the drinking game “I Never”, which leads to a make-out session. Fred excuses himself to go to the bathroom, and once inside, he repulsed at the clutter of feminine products. He proceeds to read the text messages on his phone from his out-of-town girlfriend. Then, Fred notices a used rubber in the waste basket, and freaks out.
Once again, he announces he’s going to leave, but then confesses about finding the condom. Relieved when Mindy tells him she has a roommate, they end up in the bedroom. After Fred manages to put on his sole condom, he finds that Mindy has passed out. However, in the middle of the night, Mindy arouses a sleeping Fred, and encourages him to have sex without a condom for a more intimate connection.
Come morning, Mindy reveals that she’s not on any birth control. Fred, fearful of fatherhood, flips out, and recommends they go to the pharmacy for the morning-after pill. Despite her reluctance, for religious reasons, she agrees. At the drugstore, Mindy swallows the pill, and suggests going out for breakfast.
But, Fred blows her off with a “heavy day of errands” excuse. Outraged about been manipulated, Mindy storms out of the store. Then, the pharmacist advises Fred about the possibility of vomiting up the pill if taken on an empty stomach, and that a second dose must be taken 12 hours later.
Fred runs after Mindy to apologize, and take her out for breakfast. In order to ensure the final dosage is swallowed, Fred consents to spend the rest of the day with her. Although at times awkward, Fred unexpectedly enjoys the day with the playful, free-spirited Mindy, despite ever-present reminders of potential parenthood.
The budding relationship is halted when Mindy discovers his live-in girlfriend’s text messages on his phone. Their fallout leads Fred to re-evaluate his stifling two-year relationship with Nelly (Anna Chlumsky) as well as his unfinished novel.
The Cast and Crew of The Pill
Stars Noah Bean, Rachel Boston, Anna Chlumsky, Al Thomson, Drama Walker, Lue McWilliams, Jean Brassard and Jack Tartaglia.
Written and directed by J.C. Khoury. Cinematogrphy by Andreas von Scheele. Edited by J.C. Khoury.
Produced by J.C. Khoury and Trevor Herrick. Production by Shoot First Entertainment.
Running Time: 83 min
Not Rated.
