In ‘Plan B,’ Thirtysomething Friends Face a Reality Check

Gary Leva’s “Plan B” offers a wry take on a group of 30-ish friends who are beginning to realize they haven’t achieved their goals. In other words, maybe it’s time for them to come up with a Plan B.

Leva leavens his essentially serious concerns with humor, some of it overly contrived. On the whole, however, “Plan B” is engaging, and Leva has written some good parts for his cast, especially for Jon Cryer.

Cryer’s Stuart and Mark Matheisen’s Ricky are buddies from high school who share an L.A. apartment and work at the same restaurant. Stuart is a waiter who, despairing of writing seriously, has just finished a serial killer novel called “Sayonara, Sucker.”

Meanwhile, the hunky Ricky, an aspiring actor, is thrown into a tizzy over the discovery of his first gray hair. Their longtime friend Gina (Sara Mornell) is a successful sales executive but unlucky in love.

“Plan B” takes place between Halloween and New Year’s Eve, which are celebrated at the home of Gina’s older sister Clare (Lisa Dare) and her husband, Jack (Lance Guest). (Clare and Jack’s home is the regular gathering place for these five friends and other acquaintances.) Clare and Jack are happily married, but parenthood eludes them. Between the two holidays these friends will be facing up to a lot of challenges.

Leva’s background is in TV, and “Plan B” has a television feel to it, especially when it slips into sitcom devices. But Leva has a knack for creating involving characters, and Cryer, Mornell and Matheisen have a chance to shine. In his feature debut Leva reveals that although he’s good with actors, he’s a stronger writer than director. “Plan B’s” pace wavers, and the film’s overall impact might be stronger if it came in at about 90 minutes rather than 102.

* Unrated. Times guidelines: It includes some blunt language, sexuality.

‘Plan B’

Jon Cryer: Stuart Winer

Lisa Darr: Clare Sadler

Lance Guest: Jack Sadler

Mark Matheisen: Ricky Stone

Sara Mornell: Gina Ferris

A Curb Entertainment International presentation of a Puny but Loud production. Writer-director Gary Leva. Producers Nancy Joslin, Lulu Baskins-Leva, Gary Leva. Executive producers Burr & Elizabeth Joslin and Shelly & Sally Leva. Cinematographer Yoram Astrakhan. Editor Jane Allison Fleck. Costumes Kelly Knutzen. Music Andrew Rose. Production designer Carol Strober. Set decorator Nathalie Cohen. Running time: 1 hour, 42 minutes.

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* Exclusively at the Mann Westwood, 1050 Gayley Ave., Westwood, (310) 289-MANN, and the Warner Center, 6030 Canoga Ave., Woodland Hills, (818) 999-2130.