Nowadays there is a trend of portraying protagonists in films as superficial and vapid; and indeed this is the way society seems to be going at the moment; shallowness as a defense mechanism, to cope with today's complex and confusing situations regarding sexuality, courtship, civil unrest, globalization, poverty, violent extremism etc. So no wonder that the new 'elite' of our age - like Harper and Allie - are totally impervious of showing any kind of empathy to the world at large (except a couple of kittens, before ditching them in a trash can) and not learning a thing during their turbulent 10 mile odyssey to Fort Tilden. But this make the movie very plausible - that in reality there is hardly any personality development at all in people. Most people are not Shakespearian figures with great redeeming qualities (unlike the typical Hollywood protagonist), but rather souls like Harper and Allie, being content in their self-centered world and convinced that they are people of the highest integrity, and not seeing any reason to change or reflect. But still, nonetheless, the relationship between the two is quite dynamic, and seems to even thrive due to the challenges they experience on their odyssey; they even become almost likable due to their vulnerability; like the funny scene at the beach when they compete with the two teen-age girls for the affection of the guys by letting their nude breasts hang out in a very unflattering light; ending in Harper's crude attempt of seduction, almost sexually assaulting the guy, who it turns out is still a minor... Anyway, I cannot recommend this movie highly enough!

I watched this movie as it was on a "top" 2015 movie list. Boy was watching this a mistake! I'm all for supporting indie films, but this lacked - a story. The main characters are childish and annoying, which quickly alienates the viewer (me). Borish main characters can be offset by interesting supporting characters that the duo meet along their journey, right? Everyone is more interesting than these two, but not enough the lift the movie up to watchable status.All the other movie departments did a fine job - cinematography, set design, music, and editing. The main actors even "looked good", but they just had nothing of worth to say (script).The story arc is - two girls who are spoiled, vain, and boring and act that way for 1Hr 25Mins, then a few minutes before the end of the movie they realize they may be spoiled, vain, and boring. The same movie and message could be easily been condensed down to 2-3 minutes.

A superb movie about people and who they are and what the world is like for them.Reminiscent of James Joyce Ulysses, with all its complexities all the while , as if nothi8ng much is happening,but in fact full lives are being led Experiencing the wide rage of human experience and emotion, and the often seeming frustration futility of it all The film is extraordinarily well acted and directed portraying the characters in a realistic fashionIf you are looking for cheap easy money Hollywood sensationalism this isn't for you.The script was well written with many poignant moments. I look forward to what is produced by this director .The dynamic between the two actresses deserves recognition and is extremely difficult to capture . Most seem pretentious and strained but these two nailed it.

If ever you wondered what happened to the 'valley girl' ethic, rest assured that it is alive and well in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Harper (Bridey Elliott) & Allie (Clare McNulty) are 20-something best friends whose parental affluence hasn't really required them to mature in the years since college. This comedy follows their ill-conceived attempt at being thrifty as they choose to bike (rather than taxi) across Brooklyn to a Rockaway Beach party. These are two of the most vapid and shallow characters ever portrayed as protagonists - they don't learn a thing as they spend hundreds of dollars during their 10 mile odyssey - and that's what's so funny. As for winning the SXSW Grand Jury Prize, I can totally see the comparisons with, festival darling, Lena Dunham's 'Girls' - which is a guilty pleasure of mine - but, where Dunham's wit and goofy characters coax empathy, the 'Fort Tilden' characters have no apparent redeeming qualities. I laughed a bit but this is no Patsy & Edina or Romy & Michele; I got more than my fill of Harper, Allie, and their equally self-centered world.