The Dark Roast

Jason Davis is your average barista, wearing a green apron and working for the largest corporate coffee chain in the world. Smiling at impatient customers and making high-maintenance lattes, his daily routine of selling legal speed to the masses with his fellow baristas—a collection of hippies, hipsters, conspiracy theorists and a gluttonous lazy manager—involves everything from stopping fights between customers, kicking out sleeping bums, cleaning up bodily fluids and whipping out hundreds of espresso drinks. Located in the mall in downtown San Diego, Jason’s store has security on speed dial and an odd assortment of customers ranging from real estate agents to television news anchors to countless homeless people. A coming of age romantic comedy tainted by a tragic romance makes for a dark comedy where love hurts in the coffee house.