written and directed by Sophie Brooks (her first feature), it’s a dawdling-but-not-too-dawdling, crisply shot semi-mumblecore romantic comedy, and taken on its own terms, it works fine
the debut feature from writer/director Sophie Brooks, "The Boy Downstairs" grinds a smart concept and structure into the ground with inconsequential results
boiled down to its base elements, The Boy Downstairs is Mamet’s show to run, and she runs it well aside a quiet romantic interest and sparse side characters. The faith Brooks puts in Mamet pays off, and together they craft a refreshing romantic comedy