‘The Intervention’ spotlights quintet of fine actresses

Published 1:30 am Friday, August 26, 2016

Nobody disputes the fact that movies emphasize men’s roles over women. The disparity will take years to rectify, if ever.

In one indie film, though, the tables are definitively turned.

It’s not that “The Intervention” is a female twist on a formula, like “Ghostbusters” or “Bad Moms.” It’s that the women are so much more interesting than the men.

This low-budget comedy is written and directed by Clea DuVall, an experienced indie actress. Instead of writing a starring vehicle around her own talent, DuVall has cast herself as one member of an ensemble; in fact, she’s handed the juiciest roles to the other women.

The movie is a sitcom wrapped around a “Big Chill” set-up. In a mansion outside Savannah, a group of friends convenes for a weekend. Some of them have secret motives.

The main thing is that everybody is sick of the bickering between Ruby (Cobie Smulders, from “How I Met Your Mother”) and Peter (Vincent Piazza), the lone married couple. Their constant sniping has led the others to call an intervention to release these two “from the burden of their marital prison.”

The instigator is Ruby’s friend Annie (Melanie Lynskey), who drags fiancé Matt (Jason Ritter) into the scheme. We quickly see that Annie could be projecting just a little; she has problems with alcohol, and seems commitment-phobic with Matt.

Ruby’s sister Jessie (DuVall) reluctantly goes along with the plan. Sure enough, her own relationship with girlfriend Sarah (Natasha Lyonne, from “Orange Is the New Black”) might be reaching its sell-by date.

The other invitee is Jack (Ben Schwartz), Peter’s oldest pal. He’s surprised the gang by bringing along a new fling, Lola (Alia Shawkat), who’s at least ten years younger than everybody else (she’s the equivalent of the Meg Tilly “Big Chill” character).

This situation yields a few expected comic twists, and some mild revelations. But the main fun is the performances by the women: Shawkat’s ditzy free spirit, Lyonne’s responsible partner.

Especially good are Smulders, who has a diamond cutter’s focus on character, and Lynskey, who uses her girl-next-door expression and hushed voice to great comic effect. Lynskey remains one of our seriously underrated actors; someday she’s going to get a great dramatic role worthy of her debut in “Heavenly Creatures.”

Nothing against the men in the film, but they fade into the background. In fact, it would be great to see this quintet of actresses reunite for a non-comic project. There’s too much talent here to relegate to girlfriend roles.

“The Intervention” (3 stars)

A group of old friends gather for a weekend; the ulterior motive is to urge one couple to end their sour marriage. Not much new here, but it’s great fun just to watch a talented quintet of actresses cut loose: Clea DuVall (who also directed), Melanie Lynsky, Cobie Smulders, Natasha Lyonne, and Alia Shawkat.

Rating: R, for language, subject matter

Showing: Sundance Cinemas