The High Cost of Living

The High Cost of Living casts Zach Braff as Henry Welles, a scuzzy drug dealer who accidentally hits a pregnant woman (Isabelle Blais’ Nathalie Beauchamp) while driving drunk. Henry immediately flees the scene, yet he finds himself curious about his victim’s fate – which eventually leads him to strike up a friendship with Nathalie (although, of course, she has no idea that he’s the one that hit her). It’s a decidedly off-kilter premise that’s utilized to pervasively agreeable effect by filmmaker Deborah Chow, as the director does a nice job of establishing the two central characters and their respective problems. There’s little doubt that the strength of the two central performances goes a long way towards cementing The High Cost of Living‘s mild success, with Braff’s ingratiating turn ensuring that the viewer is ultimately willing to sympathize with Henry despite the seediness of both his occupation and his choices. And although the ongoing friendship between Henry and Nathalie inevitably stretches the very limits of credibility, especially once the pair begin to skate on the edge of a romantic association, The High Cost of Living nevertheless comes off as a solid drama that bodes well for first-timer Chow’s future endeavors.

*** out of ****