Practice Space: A Part II of Childhood Friendship and Timeless Struggles

Dan Perlman’s Practice Space reunites Alex Chavez and Yan Bo Lin, who last shared screen in Perlman’s excellent 2020 drama Cramming as two eighth graders whose friendship is put to the test. Practice Space finds them a bit more grown up, playing different characters, but it is easy (and enjoyable) to imagine Edwin and Steven as just Alex and Yan Bo—the characters—in an alternate universe. The friendship is just as compelling as the last time.

Chavez plays Edwin and Lin is Steven. Steven is theatrical, almost cocky, eager to joke, and thoroughly supportive. Edwin on the other hand is astute, painfully reserved, and perhaps even withdrawn to others. The film observes an hour or so in their ordinary lives as they go through the ordinary rites of passage for teenagers (a book title that would probably sell). Sprinkled with everyday humour, the duo’s equation is instantly endearing, especially through the film’s laid back style. Even Edwin’s stilted elocution feels like a feature of being an adolescent with a thousand cool adult personalities to try on, rather than a bug of it.

The plot is that classic dilemma: how to tell someone you love them and then do it right. Steven designates himself the expert—because he learned from the ladies on YouTube—and his solutions are simple. Text her (Zoe, who is prettier than Steven, according to Edwin; Steven has agreed to disagree.) it is the chance of a lifetime, don’t even suggest that she do the date planning, and of course, deflect from how you have not done any parts in three years for fear of failing. Aspiring actor Steven will not admit to insecurities but he will begin writing a play about Neil Armstrong, who must have had so much confidence to “shove[d] other astronauts out of the way to make sure he was the first man to play golf on the moon.” The plot shifts smoothly to a heavier mood as the characters change positions and Steven is blindsided into opening up.

As tentative metaphors of stage, space, and roller coasters nudge the boys towards a bit of actual confidence, the film elegantly sticks its landing. Its portrait of young friendship is touchingly simple, and the actors endlessly watchable. In an ideal world, we get one of these Perlman-Chavez-Lin films every few years. Or perhaps this world is already good enough for it.

Watch Practice Space Short Film