For Better
For Better (2019)
Created and written by: Ashley Lackinger
In For Better, Ashley Lackinger asks: what are the different ways people fall in, out, and back in love with each other?
As the title suggests, when we commit to partnership, we commit “for better” or, implicitly, for worse, but we strive to be better, even if we’re not always at our best.
“I wanted to do an inclusive rom-com, reinvent the rom-com,” Ashley said.
The anthology dramedy series spotlights three different relationships – two gay, one straight, all interracial – and shows how even when people are coming from different cultures, they go on similar journeys of trying to reach for each other.
The first episode is particularly masterful in orchestrating this theme visually, almost like a silent film as Millennial rom-com. Two men is opposite building entertain each other from across the alley until one reveals he has a boyfriend. We see their relationship evolve, and wonder where there will be space for new love. It all builds to a charming meet-cute.
Lest viewers think For Better idealizes love, episode two focuses on disagreements between established gay couples (only hinted at in episode one). We see couples “fake it” for friends and provoke real conversations between each other, revealing traumas and desires that are often hard to vocalize (particularly gay men socialized to not express their vulnerabilities).
In all, For Better delivered an engagingly crafted dramedy on a lean budget.
Ashley worked hard to create a production experience where mentorship was possible and where crew members, even production assistants, were able to offer input on everything from the script to the filmmaking. “If people are going to give you their time, it has to be valuable to them.”
Inspired by OTV to produce her first narrative series, For Better gave Ashley an opportunity to meet new crew members and expand her skills, something she says was ideal to do in Chicago.
“I just feel the Chicago community in general is just very supportive. I don’t feel a cutthroat competition. It really does feel like we want to help. For some reason in the film industry it’s much more collaborative and helpful.”