Quartile rating: 5/10 · 1 rating
As she reaches her mid-thirties and quits her lucrative job, singleton Olivia finds herself unsure about her future and her relationships with her successful and wealthy friends. She begins to envy the security of her richer friends and, although their lives may seem easier, Olivia's friends have their problems too: screenwriters Christine and Patrick are unable to collaborate on their latest project, Jane and Aaron have lost the romance in their relationship, and Franny and Matt have difficulties handling the demands of parenthood.
Friends with Money is a slice-of-life ensemble piece that largely coasts on its naturalistic performances from a strong cast (Aniston, Keener, McDormand, Cusack) without giving them much to do dramatically. The plot meanders through familiar territory of female friendship and class anxiety without building toward meaningful revelation or resolution. The cinematography is functional but unremarkable indie fare. The film's premise—wealth disparities among old friends—had fresher predecessors, and the execution feels generic rather than distinctive. The ending is notably weak, offering a tidy but unconvincing resolution to Olivia's arc that feels unearned by what came before.