Review of In Search of a Midnight Kiss (2007) by Dave J — 26 Jun 2008

It entertained me and I cared about the two central characters until the end, but after reading so much lavish praise for this movie I couldn't help feeling a little disappointed. Part of the problem may have been that the same producer's Before Sunset is among my all-time favourite films, and In Search.

.. seemed strikingly similar but coarser and less charming. Again, we have a film based around two lonely characters attracting and repelling one another as they try to form a tentative relationship with a time limit looming, but this time the film aims for laughs at the expense of credibility; I simply didn't believe in some of the two-dimensional comical minor characters.

Vivien's melting from shamelessly manipulative uber-cynic to vulnerable person with a need to share her secrets seemed to happen suddenly and for little reason, and the ending felt anti-climactic.

But there is some fine dialogue, some cool LA locations made to look still more stylish by the black-and-white photography, and some classy indie music on the soundtrack.