If Max Fischer (Jason Schwartzman) from “Rushmore” lost his mojo, he might resemble Larry, the quippy slacker Schwartzman plays in the low-stakes but likable “7 Chinese Brothers.” The comedy, which co-stars the actor’s French bulldog Arrow, feels like an homage to the early work of Wes Anderson with its plinky soundtrack, solipsistic banter and emphasis on uniforms.
Larry, who spends his days drinking and having one-sided conversations with his wheezy pup (amusingly miked for maximum bulldog sound effects), gets booted from one low-paying gig and quickly scores another at the local Quick Lube. His new boss (Eleanore Pienta) disdains his interest, preferring his retirement-home-worker friend Major (Tunde Adebimpe); his grandmother (Olympia Dukakis) despairs of his ever settling down; his old boss wants payback for Larry having keyed his car.
What does Larry really want? It’s never clear; director Bob Byington’s (“Somebody Up There Likes Me”) film doesn’t head toward any definitive point B, in keeping with its main character’s lack of momentum. But I quite enjoyed watching him not get there.