The other film produced by Gabe Cowan this year and shown at Tribeca (see our REVIEW of “just before I go”) is the clever and relatable “Loitering with Intent.”

The cast includes Ivan Martin and Michael Godere, the screenwriters of this film in real life, as two starving-artist screenwriters named Raphael and Dominic who after being offered the chance to sell a screenplay repair to the countryside to write it. Only, they’re met with anything but the hoped-for peace and quiet at their new address.

The starving-artist cliche is one that anybody with a minimum amount of creative flow can connect with, which makes not only these two characters familiar and likeable but also the story of “Loitering” a compelling one.  Martin and Godere help this by portraying a couple guys you’d want to have a beer summit with, but also two underdogs with great comedic timing that you just have to root for.

Once they arrive at their country abode they’re greeted by free-spirited Ava (Isabelle McNally), the former employee of Godere’s sister (Marisa Tomei). Before long, some previous romantic connection between Martin and Tomei’s characters come bubbling to the surface, much to the chagrin of Dominic who is so eager to finish the script he himself doesn’t notice Ava’s advances.

The arrival of the great Sam Rockwell triggers romantic subplot number two as he, like Martin, also pines for Tomei’s affections.  Adding to the chaos is Rockwell’s dimwitted brother (played by a hilarious Brian Geraghty) who also jockeys for position to gain favor with Ava.

Kudos to Martin and Godere whose nuanced performances gently moving between comedy to drama are helped with some clever dialogues and introspectiveness about their professional lives.

Martin also shows great pathos as he is now watch his former girlfriend frolic with her other former lover.

Special credit should also be given director Adam Repp who kept the movie chugging along at the right pace and adds the right amount of information to each new scene without bogging it down with backstory or major halts in the action.

A clever story coupled with great performances and impressive directing made “Loitering with Intent” one of my picks at Tribeca this year.

SEE: our interview with producer Gabe Cowan

The cast of “Loitering with intent” at the premiere