Movie Review: “Dirty Laundry” – A Cleverly Crafted Tale of Friendship, Truth, and the Danger of Honesty.

What would you do if you and your best friend suddenly found yourselves in a bizarre situation where you couldn’t lie, no matter how hard you tried? What if, for reasons beyond your control, you were compelled to speak the truth at all times? What questions would you ask? And more importantly, what would you hope you never get asked?

This is the intriguing premise of “Dirty Laundry“, a creatively written feature film by Rocky Walls. Set against the seemingly mundane backdrop of a laundromat, the film explores the complex and often uncomfortable nature of honesty, all while presenting a warm and humorous portrayal of friendship.

At the heart of “Dirty Laundry” are best friends Kyle (played by Mitchell Wray) and Eric (played by Charlie Schultz). We meet them during their routine laundry night, and it quickly becomes clear that these two share a deep bond. They have big plans of starting a business together and moving into live in the same apartment. Kyle has already taken a leap of faith and is quitting his job to pursue this joint venture. On the other hand, Eric seems a bit more reserved, hesitating to fully commit. What seems like a harmless difference in enthusiasm between two friends soon becomes the catalyst for much deeper revelations.

Mitchell Wray in Dirty Laundry (2024)

Their routine laundry night is interrupted by a mysterious woman. Their interaction with this woman leaves them with a lot to think about but also they find themselves under a strange spell and they can no longer lie to each other. As they try to figure out exactly what happened and how to break the spell, they are forced to reveal truths about themselves and each other that threaten not just their friendship but also their dreams of starting a business together.

The two actors,  Mitchell Wray and Charlie Schultz embody their roles with sincerity, capturing the complexities of their friendship. Although there are moments where their performances feel a bit strained, particularly in some of the more intense scenes, they manage to deliver emotionally when it matters most. Their chemistry feels natural, and their interactions aptly depict the weight of years of shared experiences and unspoken truths.

Kyle is the more creative and spontaneous of the two and is eager to take risks and pursue his passion. Eric, on the other hand, is more business-savvy but cautious, and we soon discover his reservations about starting the business are influenced by his parents and their thoughts on his decision not to go to college.

Rocky Walls cleverly uses flashbacks to reveal more about Kyle and Eric, showing us key moments from their past that help to flesh out their characters. One particularly touching scene depicts their first meeting, where their friendship began, while another series of flashbacks delve into their childhoods and family dynamics. These glimpses into the past break up the narrative’s monotony as the majority of the film just focuses on the two leads inside of the laundromat. It also adds some layers to the story by introducing other characters who are significant to the lives of the two.

As the narrative progresses you start to realize the film shifts into something more profound. We begin to see that “Dirty Laundry” isn’t just about two friends trying to start a business. It is a story about trust, vulnerability, and the fear of being truly known by someone else.

Charlie Schultz in Dirty Laundry (2024)

As much as it feels liberating for them to be able to say things off their chest without any hesitation, they soon realize that they could be forced to say things they might as well just keep to themselves. Their fear of this pushes both of them to a point of argument eventually as they push each other to say things they believe the other might be keeping from them.

Eric‘s hesitations about starting the business are revealed and so are Kyles‘s fears. But the most significant reveal is Kyle’s hidden romantic feelings for Eric, a revelation that shifts the entire tone of the movie. Suddenly, what seemed like a straightforward comedy about two friends turns into a deeper exploration of unrequited love and the complexities of close relationships. This twist feels earned, thanks to the writer’s subtle foreshadowing and skilful writing, and it adds an emotional depth to the film.

While “Dirty Laundry” is a small, intimate film with a runtime of around 70 minutes, it looks and feels more like a short film. There are a few scenes where the pacing slows down a bit too much and it is obvious if not for those scenes the entire runtime would have been much shorter.

Nonetheless, it delivers a poignant message, truth and friendship can never be separated. It calls for complete transparency in any form of relationship whether personal or professional. It also reminds us that sometimes all you need to be to be happy in this life is at least one good friend in your life.

I will score this film 6.5/10, with its clever writing and strong thematic focus making it worth the watch, even if it doesn’t entirely escape all its limitations.