Love, Ludlow

The opening of Love Ludlow reminded me just a little of a movie I saw a few years ago at Sundance called Haiku Tunnel. But Ludlow quickly developed into a romantic comedy between Myra (Alicia Gordanson), a tough-talking office temp from Queens, and Reggie (David Eigenberg), an nice-guy office loner who lacks confidence. Reggie is immediately attracted to Myra, who eventually gives him a shot. But things get off to a rocky start when Reggie meets Myra's brother Ludlow, a man-child in his early 20's that Myra cares for in their apartment. Smart but inexplicably immature, Ludlow is committed to sabotaging Reggie so he can remain Myra's sole human interest.

The movie has clever writing with some very funny lines, but often feels like they were designed for the stage. (Reggie: You're being sarcastic. Ludlow: It's the number one export from Queens.) Gordanson and Eigenberg provide strong performances with some tantalizing, if often awkward, chemistry. But the plot drifts at times and the ending fails to satisfy. (I was longing for a little more resolution.) Love Ludlow is an interesting twist for a romantic comedy. Most viewers will find the movie enjoyable. But it's better not to look at this one too critically. If you do, you're liable to love Ludlow a little less.

This was a fantastic movie. I laughed and I cried. I have been quoting the lines with my friends for days since seeing the film. Saw it three times at Sundance! It is a must see! What movies used to be all about, without any special effects. Three cheers to the writer! I thought that Brendan did an excellent job playing Ludlow. His grasp of the character was great. I really felt for him, not being able to deal with change in his life. Alicia was a fantastic Myra. Her lines are quite memorable, as are her facial expressions. David's performance was also so very real. His shyness towards reaching out to a new person and his frustration with this relationship made so much sense. I really felt for the guy. Minor characters, played by Andrea and Jay were also fantastic. I still want to know the rest of the "Mark story." I hope everyone gets a chance to see this film, because everyone should love Ludlow!

I walked into Love, Ludlow, on a whim at Sundance 2005 on Thursday evening, having heard nothing about the picture. I was much more than pleasantly surprised. The performances are excellent--first rate mature acting to create a world of adults who in many ways are like children, and total immersion and commitment to the whimsical "Queens, NY" depicted in the movie. The ambiguity of Ludlow's exact affliction adds texture to the piece and facilitates a deeper emotional connection to the material, and the jokes are just plain funny. I also was impressed at how skillfully and fluidly the film moved from comedy to drama, from situational humor to pathos. The audience laughed repeatedly throughout the show, and for all my skepticism I walked out with a smile on my face, and I was not alone. This is a fun, well-made, commercial, jauntily independent film I hope will get released soon.

"Love, Ludlow" is a neat, quirky and entertaining romantic comedy about three quirky young adults (only one is dysfunctional) striving to thrive in New York. The film describes their daily struggle, a colorful and clowny mini-circus based in a Queens walk-up. There's no sex, no violence, and no drugs, but there are some tear-provoking scenes and many laughs. It's kinda sorta like an early Woody Allen comedy.

The script, an excellent collaboration based on an earlier play by David Patterson, is heightened by three terrific show-case performances and superb cinematography under the direction of first-time film-maker Adrienne Weiss. Could be the late-bloomer of Sundance '05.

I like to relax, kickback and watch a comedy. Therefor I kept waiting and waiting for the comedy to start. In the end my wait was over, the fun hadn't come. A comedy? questionable. It looks more like an independent movie which leans more toward the genre known as drama.

In 'Love, Ludlow' the life of a woman living and having to take care of her retarded(?) brother is being portrayed. The ups, the downs and how one would have to deal with it; how it affects aspects of life. She's trying to date a guy, pretty sensitive and scared, but in order to start a working relationship both have to overcome and accept the obstacle known as Ludlow (her brother). Very good, very nice imagery, not a good comedy. But definitely a good movie. As a drama (or what I think of as drama) I'd give it an eight point five, as a comedy I'd give it a two, not much fun. After a compromise with myself I gave it a seven.