Four old college buddies get together at a mansion on the California coast to cut loose and reminisce about old times. One of the guys is a doctor who arrives with a 'goodie bag' in tow, containing all of the necessities it takes to make for a killer reunion party, including coke, Special-K, Adderall, morphine, etc. As their drug and booze-fueled mirth kicks into high gear, their fun time begins to sequentially shift into despondency at the lachrymose realization that their lives haven't lead them down the paths they had hoped. This leads to one of their own taking his life after a wild night of drug-infused debauchery gets him to divulge some dirty laundry (during a threesome, of all times) involving his role in the tragic death of his sister. Turns out his suicide was linked to a sort of 'contract' they had all signed 25 years prior which stated that, after 25 years, if they were to forget exactly how it felt to be an exuberant, care-free youth, they would all die together. This agreement forces the remaining guys to face their own shortcomings in life, as well as the drug-awakened sense of failure and regret that is eating away at them as their fun vacation becomes just an excuse to numb themselves of all of life's crushing blows.
This is just a terrific film. The performances are all outstanding and harrowing and the psychedelic style gives you the feeling that you, yourself, are in somewhat of a drug-hazed stupor by the end. It's really a nightmarish take on the suffering of a mid-life crisis and the madcap struggle to recapture the euphoric freedom of youth. "I Melt with You" would be a fun one to loan your buddy who cracks up at infantile, 'dudebro' bullshit like "The Hangover" - as it's the complete anti-'bromance' party flick and will probably ruin his night. I can't really think of any complaints on this one. Really a solid and powerfully unpleasant film. Check it out.
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