A Arte do Amor

I really liked this film. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I related to a romantic comedy, but the characters reminded me of not only people I know, but also a bit of myself. Granted, I wouldn't go as far as Abby does in the show, but I think her situation can be extended to the way we all have unrealistic ideals of life, and how important it is to do the best we can while dealing with the situations we face in real life. I've seen the film a couple times now on TV and I can't wait to add it to my DVD library. I thought the acting was good and the music was great. If you haven't seen it yet, check the listings to find the next showing, or wait for the DVD.

I don't write too many reviews but I thought I'd add one for this holiday favorite of mine. It's not the best written plot or the best acting but I get a kick out of the slapstick humor from Will Friedle and also the leads have a cute chemistry together. It's cheese all the way but I love it just the same! If your in the mood for a cute holiday movie, this one hits the spot!

It is becoming more the rule than the exception that movies made for television are the equal if not better than many of the works made for the theaters. Such is the case for this little bit of fluff of a movie - EVERYTHING YOU WANT. Based on a play by Natalie Prado and adapted successfully for the screen by Steven A. Lee and Kevin Lawrence King, this film is lightweight but carries itself with style and fun by director Ryan Little and makes for an entertaining diversion of a film that is not about the heavier issues with which most films today are dealing.

Abigail Morrison (a charming Shiri Appleby) grew up with absentee parents and spent her idle hours drawing and creating an imaginary friend Sy (Orlando Seale) to care for her loneliness. Unfortunately she has carried Sy into her adult life, preventing her from dating real human beings. As an art student she paints her imaginary boyfriend who is always there for her and makes her mistrustful of real guys who are bound to desert her...! Abby meets a cocky young student Quinn (Nick Zano) faking his interest in art to get easy college credits. There is a mutual attraction that takes some time to develop: Abby talks about her boyfriend Sy to shield her vulnerability. Abby's friend Jessica (Alexandra Holden) is aware of Abby's imaginary Sy and attempts to get her to date real men. But Jessica is not without her problems - maintaining employment at Borders Bookstore being one of them - and through a series of accidental encounters, Quinn steps in to help Jessica keep her job on the promise that Abby will coach him in art. The obvious happens and Quinn's growth as a person mirrors Abby's ability to fore go her need to hide behind Sy and the two become a couple.

The young cast is attractive and for the most part acts well. There are some strange subplots that don't add much to the storyline but at least introduce some different offbeat characters. A deep movie this is not, but for an evening of light entertainment, this little film glimmers.

This is one of those usual made-for-TV films where it's difficult to decide whether you should like or hate it. It's cheesy, extremely odd, but unavoidably endearing. There's something attractive about the lack of sexual innuendos around every turn of phrase...something wholesome about going on dates to the ice skating rink and studying (actually studying) together. Of course, there are cheesy lines complimented by cheesy deliveries, but it just wouldn't be a made-for-TV film without them.

Will Friedle's character is extremely funny...they took the absent-minded friend to a new extreme. With lines like "Your face is good" and "Want a tuna sandwich? I made it with ham," it's impossible to stifle a giggle. There were moments in the film that redeemed the cheesy factors, like when Abbi claims there's a fire in the kitchen. One of my favorite scenes involved Sy interacting with Abbi and Quinn...it was cute and clever.

Overall, this is perfect for days when nothing else is on the tube, but I wouldn't sit surfing the TV for hours looking for it. It's cute, endearing, and sweet...but not earth-shattering. Great for girls who don't like to have to worry about sex scenes and language, especially. I'll give it a 6 out of 10, which means that I've decided to like it. :)

Saw this movie this afternoon and liked it, mostly because I don't have a girlfriend or very much social life and this lets me vicariously live a simple dating life. No sex, not much real conflict, just two people who like each other slowly falling in love. Yes, there is a whole story line about another guy Abby(the main character) must deal with, a story line that I must say was unexpected and a bit on the strange side. I wouldn't have minded if that part of the movie was left out completely, because all I was looking for on a Saturday afternoon was a quiet movie without much real depth. I also didn't really care for the stoner best friend, although his humor was rather harmless.

What really kept me glued to the set was the character of Abby(played by Shiri Appleby). If I could design my dream girl, complete with looks and personality, it would be this girl down to a t. She is extremely beautiful and in the movie is shy, sweet, and loves art. I wish a girl like that actually existed in the real world, but I doubt I will find anything close. Anyway watching her on screen was bliss and I would watch Shiri in any movie all day long. I didn't really like her love interest(Nick Zano). He does the traditional guy transformation in romantic comedies. He starts out very stupid and uncaring, but changes to an intelligent, sensitive guy in the end. Oh the fantasy. I guess though Abby has such a powerful effect on him he must change.

In the end this movie was a nice fluff movie to watch when your lonely and need to go into other peoples lives when you don't have one. I would recommend it to people who need that fix.