Two long-term buds — a clingy-and-looking, perpetually aspiring musician (Leighton Meester) and a mutually dependent, mostly plugged-in environmental lawyer (Gillian Jacobs) — feel the foundation of their friendship begin to seism when the former is asked to take a back seat to the latter’s latest suitor (Adam Brody, the real life Mr. Meester). The playful blast of road-rage role-playing that opens the picture makes for blissful character set-up. On the surface, it's an LGBT date movie, one devoid of controversy and messaging, thanks to director Susanna Fogel and co-writer Joni Lefkowitz’s waggishly engaging storytelling. But Partners could never incorporate were it not for the chemistry and perfectly paced delivery of its two high-contrast leads, and the depth both bring to their characters. A trip through familiar territory that leads to a predictable outcome and, oddly enough, one I rather enjoyed thumbing a ride on. (2014) — Scott Marks