I Used to Go Here - a smart, delicate and distinctive comedy/drama.

I Used to Go Here is now available to rent, buy or stream.

We all reach a point where the hope and excitement surrounding our early careers fade. This process is not only profoundly uncomfortable but downright unfair as the veneer of youth fades and the realisation that life is relatively mundane and boring strikes. However, these changes are even more pronounced for those who remain single, our lives surrounded by couples who slowly forget our existence. Of course, this all sounds rather bleak, but thankfully it is a mere transition to a new sense of self and belonging, and it is here where Kris Rey’s I Used to Go Here hits its stride.

Kate Conklin (Gillian Jacobs) has recently ended a relationship with her fiancé. But at the same time, her first fiction novel has just reached bookstore shelves; something to celebrate, right? Unfortunately, the book is not performing well; in fact, her publishers have cancelled a proposed book tour. Meanwhile, her friends are busy starting families of their own, with Kate feeling like a mere ghost during their rare get-togethers. But a glimmer of light appears courtesy of her former university professor David (Jemaine Clement), who invites her to speak at her old University.

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Kate excitedly accepts the offer as her old crush on her professor is reignited, but she is unprepared for the wave of nostalgia that washes over her as she arrives on campus. Here she meets a group of aspiring young writers led by Hugo (Josh Wiggins). But can a group of students teach a thirty-something woman about the value of a fresh beginning?

There is a raw honesty in Kate’s journey rarely seen in back to college comedy-dramas. Here, youth’s hopes, dreams, and aspirations are jaded by the experience of a life where nothing has panned out quite as expected. This makes Kate’s journey not only relatable but also understandable. However, what makes I Used to Go Here both smart and distinctive is the ability to wrap these feelings in a light-hearted, fresh and engaging comedy/drama that never falls into lazy stereotypes or clichés. Here the students at the heart of Kate’s rebirth and discovery are approachable, sensitive and vibrant; each character a world away from the usual stereotypes of sex-fuelled parties and heavy drinking.