In Search of a Midnight Kiss film review

certificate_15

IN SEARCH OF A MIDNIGHT KISS

A low/no budget indie offering, In Search of a Midnight Kiss is a misfiring romantic comedy shot in black and white that on the one hand desperately wants to be achingly hip and amusing while simultaneously offering up a paean to the glory days of Los Angeles. On both counts it fails, coming across as a bit amateur hour at times and certainly a bizarre choice for theatrical release.

It's the run-up to New Year's Eve and LA slacker Wilson (Scoot McNairy) has nobody to share a passionate embrace at midnight with. Egged on by his flatmates he posts on craigslist in an attempt to find a suitable partner. Enter the wisecracking Vivian (Sara Simmonds) and the two set off on a trip that takes in much of the sights of downtown LA.

Both are desperately unlikeable characters, who are extremely self-indulgent and speak unbelievable lines fed to them by an unconvincing script. The screenplay soon becomes tiresome, as do the score and the curious editing. It's the kind of film in which 'quirky' characters pop in and out, all zanily acted by an overenthusiastic cast.

The dialogue is arguably the most cringeworthy aspect of the film, being a sort of sub-Tarantino/Larry David rip-off. It may please friends and family and those involved in the making of, but it's unlikely to convince anyone else. Very little is actually believable here.

After the opening credits I thought I was about to see a documentary about the online dating scene - having watched the whole movie I very much wish I had.

Paul Hurley