Love, Sex and Missed Connections

Rated: Not Rated

        Love, Sex and Missed Connections is the little move that could. Filmed on a shoestring budget of only $25,000 in a day and age when most movies cost millions, this movie is chock full of surprises. Not the least of which is that the funding came almost entirely from the popular financier website Kickstarter.com. Not many of the projects that receive funding on that website make it, but this one certainly did.

 
        This movie is about Neal, a thirty-something customer service rep who's in a rut. He hates his job answering the same questions over and over again all day every day. He just broke up with his longtime girlfriend after catching her sleeping with his best friend. Nagged by that feeling that something major has got to change, Neal quits his job and abandons his car. But now what? In come his friends, Barry and George to the rescue. They figure that the best way to help Neil is to get him “back in the game” so to speak. So they come up with a plan for Neal to deceptively meet women on the internet. Everything goes fine until he meets Jane, a woman who's just as devious and emotionally evasive as he his.
 
        Love, Sex and Missed Connections is one of those hidden gems you don't often come across these days. It's one you'll want to see again and again, both to pick up on things you may have missed and just because it's that good. Kenny Stevenson, although a relative newcomer, brings a sense of authenticity and awkwardness to the role of Neil that's reminiscent of Ed Helms. He creates a character you both feel bad for, and want to slap in the face for being such a jerk at the same time. Dorien Davies as Jane was both calculating and standoffish, while adding an undeniable vulnerability to a character that was a mystery not only to Neal, but to the audience watching as well.
 
        The term “romantic comedy” has such a stigma attached to it that some people may avoid seeing this film, but don't let that label deter you. This is way more than a chick flick! It truly has something for everybody: adventure, romance, humor, betrayal, deceit, mystery, suspense and drama. The level of humor and subtlety of the jokes will have you chuckling long after it’s over. Yes, this movie follows the ABC's of other romantic comedies, but that's not important. What is important is the strength of the cast, the depth they add to their characters and the well written story underneath it all.
 
        This film is the proof that you can make it in Hollywood without all the bells and whistles. It's also proof that you don't need millions of dollars to make and produce a quality film. All you need is hard work and dedication from the cast and crew, as long as you have a strong story and the will to succeed behind it. So forget that Hollywood blockbuster you were going to see this weekend and see Love, Sex and Missed Connections instead!  At the very least you'll feel good about supporting the little guy and you'll get a few laughs thrown in for good measure!

           Love, Sex and Missed Connections was directed by Eric Kissack, was written by Kenny Stevenson and stars Kenny Stevenson, Dorien Davies, Shane Elliott, Avi Rothman, Julie Mitchell and Alex Enriquez. It’s available now on Blu Ray, DVD and digital download.

Dorien Davies as Jane in Love, Sex and Missed Connections (Photo used courtesy of Dorien Davies)