Results

My father-in-law completed an Ironman triathlon a few years ago.  It's an astonishing physical achievement, especially for someone in his fifties: a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a marathon.  Preparing for the event took months of intense work.  Years, really; before he could do an Ironman he had to complete numerous shorter triathlons in preparation.

But what did he do after that Ironman?  Did he really "get" anything out of it?  The morning after the race, he presumably woke up proud (and sore).  But after that, it was on to the next goal, the next achievement.  So what was the point?

The problem is that you can say this about anything if you think too much.  Even parenting, a task that involves great emotional rewards and hard work over many years, ultimately leaves you wanting.  "I thought there would be more," as Patricia Arquette says at the end of "Boyhood."  If you go down this line of reasoning long enough, you can't get out of bed in the morning.  Everything is a dead end because everything dies.

This is the dilemma faced by two personal trainers in "Results."  They're in love, but they don't want to admit it.  As trainers, they're constantly wired to want more, to improve; settling down is a hard concept because "settling" isn't in their vocabulary.

They take on an eccentric client for whom settling has become all too easy.  He recently inherited a pile of money and doesn't know what to do with himself.  He needs a kick in the pants; they need a reality check.

Both parties get what they need, more or less.  But anyone who's seen writer-director Andrew Bujalski's previous film, "Computer Chess," knows that he takes odd routes to his destinations.  This movie could have easily been another bland indie dramedy, given the premise.  Instead it crackles with life.  The pacing of scenes and plotlines are off-kilter.  Sometimes this kills the energy, but it feels true to life.

At the end of the credits there's a message: "Fear Excuses Surrender."  And then a question mark appears on the end.  This whole observant, funny film is that question mark.