Two Ninas

There's precious little romance to be found in this romantic comedy which tells of a slump shouldered, self pitying, self deprecating wuss who dates two women both named Nina. How's that for creative? "Two Ninas" is an okay watch and a decent shoot with enough relationship issues to maintain interest all the way to it's fizzling conclusion. However, the film trades charm and heart for hip and cool as it presents its characters as one dimensional, self-centered, hard edged stereotypes. Recommended for anyone into the adult singles dating scene.

I saw this film last night at the Chicago Alt.film Fest, and I have to say I thought it was one of the best romantic comedies I've seen in a long time. The plot was interesting, the characters were all very real people (for a change) and you can't help but really like everyone in the film. I greatly enjoyed it. If you get a chance to see it, I recommend it highly.

My bias is not to expect a "finished product" from a first time film-maker, but this is a real surprise. It is well scripted, well cast and acted, with excellent cinematography and editing- it's tight and concise, without wasted screentime, and the storyline should delight any viewer. Not a "big" film, not a "blockbuster," but, rather, a truly wonderful entertainment, that moves this viewer to want to come back for more.

One wishes to like this film, to find in it that which will it make it recommendable, low budget underdog independent production that it is, led by a first-time director, having a colourful urban setting with an emphasis upon romantic relationships, and an attractive young cast; however, a drastic flaw in the writing quickly casts doubt upon its having a chance to rise above mediocrity. The core of its story consists of the experiences of Marty (Ron Livingston), a would-be novelist living in Manhattan, expatriate from Maine, struggling ineffectively with the familiar conundrum of young men seeking amorous satisfaction until he, within the space of a few days, discovers that two attractive young women, each named Nina, are smitten with him, and he therefore must face an inevitable decision to select one of them, thereby abandoning the second, all while assuring that the liaisons will not converge to his total loss of romance. From his roost upon a bar stool, Marty's best friend Dave (Bray Poor), performs as Chorus, face to the camera, to describe his pal's adventures in love, along with his own, with events moving to a somewhat predictable climax hastened by Marty's carelessness in not keeping his lovers separate. The mentioned shortcoming in the writing is a penchant of tyro scriptor/director Neil Turwitz to have each of his characters speak in the same manner, as dialogue for all is distinguished by consistent syntax, vocabulary, and rhythm, whether man or woman, and only the skill of Poor (who gains acting honours in this piece) in maintaining his precision of timing, and natural actress Cara Buono as one of the Ninas, somewhat leavens an otherwise monochromic script. An overly naturalistic tenor in the screenplay frequently grates upon one's sensibilities, but a decision to prevent some flubs from winding up on the cutting room floor works well enough, although those components of post-production that require dubbing and mixing are often errant, in line with generally woeful D.J. selection that comprises most of the scoring for a film that sinks from its shallowness.

I saw this film last year at the Gen Art Film Festival in NYC, where it won Audience Award. I just watched it a second time eleven months later on videotape, (a copy submitted to another festival, which inexplicably rejected it), and it holds up.

It has a few flaws: Amanda Peet's character is shunted aside too cavalierly in the third act; we never see these guys at the jobs they mention often; the lead character's novel being queried about by an agent goes nowhere, and an ending that ends flat, despite the enjoyable movie that leads up to it. But the pluses are many: great soundtrack, good NYC locations, no false notes, and a breezy pace.

Bray Poor, who I saw off Broadway in what I thought was an authentic Cockney accent, is simply great as the shallow NYC friend. Amanda Peet is very engaging here, which explains why I wanted to see more of her. And the lead actor is extremely good. Cara Buono was fine as the main Nina. (She's a hell of a writer. I've read her "Charmed Life" screenplay.)

All in all, an entertaining dead-on dating movie. Men and women will both like it. Where are the distributors?? Worse dreck has been in theaters. This played equally well in a theater with an audience, and at home on tape by myself. It deserves more of an audience.