Some very different cinematic methods and above-average acting and direction make this entourage of beautiful people a rom-com worth watching
Writer/director Julian Kemp is best known for his 1997 BAFTA award winning children's tale "Roger and the Rotten Trolls,” which he shared with Phil Partridge and his second award for "Wise Up" shared with Mick Robertson. Although this film is hardly for children he has maintained a very playful style in dealing with the ups and downs of love and, well, being a dolt. But he is a loving dolt and finally starts to see the light at the end of the tunnel by the end of this cross-channel treatment of Alain de Botton’s international best seller, “On Love.”
Brendan Patricks plays Duncan, a man who seems to have a predilection for running into beautiful woman, international fashion models and just plain goddess-like females. As he interacts with these dreamy creatures, other similarly beautiful people float in and out of the movie like ghosts of ensemble TV casts long since vanished into the ether of cancelled pilots. Fortunately for Kemp, he is able to keep his mind at least mostly on business and deliver a cautionary word of advice for men in love. Of course, such words to the wise will only benefit those of the male audience who care enough to pay attention. Most will probably be busier fantasizing the vision of themselves in Duncan’s shoes.
Kelly Adams, Cécile Cassel, Jane March and Edith Bukovics come and go through the first series of four 8 to 10 minute shorts. Each short builds on the cinematic cleverness of the last in exploiting the outrageousness of romantic endeavor, at least from the male point of view. Each woman is a man-killer of mythical proportions but unable to tame the bundle of love and incompetence that embodies the fumbling gestures of affection conceived and wielded by the unlucky Duncan. Transmitting this wonderful ball of confusion is a great selection of cinematic tricks and techniques revolving around love as a roller coaster ride, fun-house experience and, of course, the Ferris wheel.
After the first half of the film’s cinematic love trysts the lovely Gemma comes onto the scene to seal Duncan’s fate. If you saw the talented Naomie Harris play the single mom in the gritty inner city flick “Explicit Ills” released recently you will understand the skill this beautiful and talented woman brings to the screen. Not only does she play a sensuous and desirable woman of the smart urban set but she exudes the depth of feeling that is needed to bring some meaning to this hodge-podge. It was a smart decision to make her the last in line to deal with the uncontrollable Duncan.
If you believe you have seen the last possible innovations in romantic comedy, think again and see this film. Although it fails to rise above the clichés of the beautiful people and their privileged love affairs, it does provide a unique and creative visual treatment of the emotion of love. It also offers humorous encouragement to those males victimized by the outrageous requirements dictated by the female sex in return for simple night out on the town. Like a roller coaster ride, the event itself is fun enough but the consequences of a malfunction can be disastrous. Declining to answer regarding issues of fashion, age and clothing size is advice to be followed at all times. In declining to answer, feign unconsciousness or, if necessary, fall off the side of the boat. It will be worth it.
Backed up by a spirited, light hearted sound track and visually thrilling and romantic London opening the film keeps up the pace throughout it entire 87minutes. It is just as well it doesn’t try to go beyond the 1 11/2 hour mark as that might be pushing luck a bit too far. A romantic comedy with a little known but very skilled cast, this is a film that should make it into at least a bit of the main stream of movie releases. Indeed, Julian Kemp should try to make the next one with a screen writer who is as adept in dialogue, and perhaps some good old American one-liners, as he is at innovative photography and special effects. The results could be hilarious.
Directed by: Julian Kemp
Starring: Brendan Patricks and Naomie Harris
Release: Tribeca FF—no scheduled release
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