Road trips are a comedic narrative staple that are as reliable as they are formulaic. That's why you'll find Will Dennis' first feature enjoyable, even as you're all too aware of its narrative gears moving too heavily.
Despite its familiar aspects, Vanilla chugs along nicely thanks to frequently witty dialogue and the terrifically charming and funny performance by its leading lady, Kelsea Bauman-Murphy, making a film debut that heralds the promise of bigger things.
Dennis, who wrote and directed, also plays the lead role of Elliot, a struggling tech designer whose uptightness is signified by his neatly tucked-in button-down shirts.
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