Review: You just might recognize these L.A. friends in the touching drama ‘People You May Know’

You may know people like the thirtysomethings in “People You May Know”: self-involved, self-indulgent and a bit lost, but loyal, well-meaning and hopeful. They’re also really attractive but, y’know, it’s a movie.

The question is: How much time do we want to spend with them? The answer: Perhaps not quite as much as is required to watch this intimate if overlong film. Still, once we settle into the twisty stories of the four BFFs who drive writer-director J.C. Falcón’s earnest drama, the characters become a fairly absorbing bunch.

These L.A. pals include Delia (Andrea Grano) and hubby Rodrigo (Nacho San José), who can’t get pregnant; Joe (Sean Maher), a gay, promiscuous, struggling novelist; and Herbert (Mark Cirillo), also gay, a self-deprecating executive wishing for love. Little do they know that change is afoot.

Suffice to say that Delia gets what she wants but not by the man she wanted it with, Joe’s new sex buddy may not be who he seems, Herbert stumbles upon Mr. Right and Rodrigo’s business trip to his native Spain may prove a one-way journey.

Although there are contrivances, and Joe’s blurry “catfishing” tale meanders, these folks’ emotional growth feels authentic and touchingly earned.

Good performances by the appealing leads, as well as by Almodóvar regular Carmen Maura in a cameo as Rodrigo’s mom, further help us invest in the narrative.

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‘People You May Know’

Not rated

Running time: 1 hour, 47 minutes

Playing: Arena Cinelounge at the Montalban Theatre, Hollywood

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