Funny plus heartfelt gets ‘Results’

“Results” confirms the promise of writer-director Andrew Bujalski, whose previous feature, “Computer Chess,” was one of the unexpected highlights of 2013.

Working with a bigger budget on a broader canvas, and dealing with completely different subject matter, Bujalski still imparts his distinct worldview and sense of humor.

Kevin Corrigan, who is like the male Parker Posey — that is, the best actor regularly working in independent films — plays Danny, a multimillionaire, who decides he needs to get into shape.

[...] he goes to a gym, owned by a would-be fitness guru, Trevor (Guy Pearce), and buys a year’s worth of private sessions with a personal trainer.

The personal trainer, Kat (Cobie Smulders), is rigorous and high-strung and seems to be channeling her anger and life dissatisfaction into her workouts.

In disposition, she is the opposite of the millionaire, who is laid back and self-effacing, and so lethargic that you have to wonder how he made his money.

Kat wants a relationship with Trevor, and Trevor wants what the millionaire has, which is money to expand his business and fulfill his dreams.

[...] the movie does suggest that sometimes the lingo of self-actualization can prevent the real thing from happening, that imposing a predetermined narrative on our lives can block out the whispers of the heart that tell us what we really need to be doing.