beautiful
Speed Dating really can hurt -- ouch
Encounters, Speed Dating can hurt gets its DVD release this week and I saw a preview copy recently and was pleasantly surprised by what this charming little indie rom-com has to offer. It proved to be an interesting, if sometimes odd, drama about a collection of singles who meet via a night of speed dating in London.
The film's premise is unassuming enough, Simon prepares a night of “speed dating”, where men and women spend three minutes chatting with one another before changing partners, and the cycle repeats. But his first-time effort gets off to a bad enough start when only eight people show up. It then gets worse as theres three guys and five women. Frankly I doubt any of them should have gone on dates with any of the others and in some ways that adds to the film charm and grace.
All of the characters we meet in Encounters are interesting in their own ways and I suspect it would be easy for most people to discover a connection with one or more of the characters as they struggle in their attempts to find companionship and romance in this cold modern world.
Stand out performance for me was that of John: played by Jonathan Reason, with a lightness of touch that is as near perfection as I have seen in many years. He is quiet, shay and sheepish man. Sue (Jenna Shaw) gets tangled up with Mateuz (Matthew Worthington) who reveals he is simply looking for a marriage of convenience so he can stay in the country, which throws Sue into turmoil, not just because she’s shocked, but also because she’s actually thinking about going through with it. Patrick Thornton is the creepy Peter, who attends the speed dating largely to freak out the women and ultimately hooks up with Ruth (Deborah Jeffrey), who’s willing to go along with his oddball behavior. Or, is she? Meanwhile, Simon, the organiser of the speed dating event becomes involved with one of its attendees, Carol (Hannah Smith). Carol is pregnant and at pains to explain that she is not looking for the father of her child. Jacynthe, played by Alexandra London-Thompson and John look as if they might hook up, even though their motivations are clearly at odds, since she is looking for a good time, while he is seeking a wife to fill up his lonely life and searching for someone to give him a son. John is ultimately the character I felt for the most, not only because he was lonely, but because he was ultimately chasing after something he clearly wasn’t going to get.
Encounters was surprisingly entertaining in many ways. The performances were terrific, with the relaxed realism that made the film all the more dramatic. A beautifully observed slice of life that will resonate with everyone and will tug at the heart strings. Funny (actually hilarious in places) and at the same time guaranteed to make you shed a tear as well. Bizarre and perfect in many ways. I recommend you see it soon. (Released on DVD Nov 24th)
