Review of In Search of a Midnight Kiss (2007) by Tibor B — 30 Jul 2011

Alex Holdridge's terrific bittersweet indie romance has more intelligence humour and romantic insight in one scene than countless monotonous feelgood romcoms from the big studios. Set in the rarely seen LA streets and subway, aspiring "screenwriter" slacker Wilson posts an internet ad on NYE for a date and is uncermoniously invited to an interview by a brash blonde called Vivian.

Masked by shades and an uber-bitch facade, she decides he's the best of the bunch of depressed sadsacks she interviews as her potential NYE companion, they drift around LA and start to warm to each other.

Beneath her frosty aggressive exterior lies a creative vulnerable and quite charming girl. The usual romcom complications ensue from a temporary break-up to a mad dash from a crazy hick ex leading up to an ambiguous, simultaneously heartbreaking and inspiring ending.

Very well played by leads McNairy and Simmonds who became a couple I enjoyed spending time with - Holdridge's film is nothing new, owing a particular debt to Richard Linklater, but it's always very welcome to watch a film so in tune with uncertain 20somethings and the complications of romance as this one.