101 Ways (The Things a Girl Will Do to Keep Her Volvo)

"101 Ways" is a brilliant, quirky, comic gem of a film. At first, you may not identify with the protagonist, Watson Gowan, who drives an expensive new Volvo and has moved to Connecticut to pursue her creative writing -- but it quickly turns out that Watson has the same problems as most of us: finding a job that doesn't suck, paying the bills, and (of course) the pursuit of True Love. The film's slice-of-suburban-life narrative is punctuated by a hilarious use of monologue, in which the various characters get to make wry or trenchant observations about their side of the story -- directly to the audience of the film. Woven into this story are a couple of priceless fantasy sequences that never fail to deliver belly laughs, as well as a few cathartic moments of well-acted pathos that throw the comedy into sharp relief. It's obvious the actors had a lot of fun with this offbeat material, and they did a terrific job -- all the characters in Watson's life come across as utterly funny, authentic, and recognizable -- even if you have never been to Connecticut and have never driven a Volvo. Kudos to the director for making suburbia look so appealing.

"101 Ways..." manages to be witty without being glib. It manages to be lighthearted without being lightweight. Even more impressively, it manages to avoid hackneyed romantic comedy clichés while being hysterically funny... thus making this a rare gem indeed.

Being from the area where this film was shot, it was even more entertaining for me to watch this great comedy and hear people shouting out "Look, it's Wentworth's" and the like. However, it's at the Supermarket checkout counter that this film really shines, with highly memorable scenes that had me laughing out loud. Glenn Fitzgerald plays a fine checkout clerk, and Catherine Mueller is spot on as a somewhat sulky bagger who avoids eye contact. Wendy Hoopes as the main angst-ridden gal who has left the big city in search of a better life will appeal to all younger adults who have been in a similar situation, but it's in the incidental character 'cameos' that you feel this film is special. Occasional throw-away lines show up that are absolutely hysterical and can almost pass you by so pay attention.

I look forward to seeing something else soon from the same director/writer.

I saw this film at a screening in Detroit with my full on mid-west burb-in-laws who liked it as much as me. 101 Ways is a fresh, witty film that specifically pokes fun at suburban life while playfully depicting Watson's painful journey. The youthful humor of the film clearly trancends age and demographics.

My favorite aspect of the film was the way a true variety of relationships are portrayed and how those relationships ultimately lead Watson down her road of self-discovery. (If you're open to them, it is usually the people around you that lead you to life's significant insights--ones that you might never have gotten to on your own.)

Why can't all coming-of-age films be like this?

101 Ways is the most original comedy I've seen in quite some time and an impressive debut for writer/director Jennifer Katz. I loved it! It's always refreshing to see a romantic comedy from woman's perspective and Wendy Hoopes' Watson is one of the most honest and original heroines in recent memory. Katz has a unique ability to playfully skewer her targets without descending into cynicism. The film's humorous but believable situations build to realistic climax that leaves you feeling great without being sugary sweet. Katz makes good use of a great ensemble cast and Connecticut locations. Highly recommended.

I saw 101 Ways at a screening in Washington, DC. The audience reaction was very enthusiastic. There are alot of laughs in this movie, and moments that really ring true. In a movie world where sex and love come all too easily and frequently from the male point of view, 101 Ways offers the perspective of a young woman who finds love more difficult to find. Light-hearted, witty, creative, 101 Ways is an entertaining debut for first-time director Jennifer Katz.