Deus do Amor

"Dear God, whose name I do not know... please tell me why me, a geeky and rather drippy, big-haired guy cannot get the girl..." Well Ares was so bereft of words for a response that he sent "Ray" (auteur Luke Matheny) some love darts. Now that's not an euphemism, they are actually real darts because he is the world's foremost crooning darts player. Yet he still cannot manage to convince the love of his life "Kelly" (Marian Brock) to reciprocate - even when he takes her to a rousing performance of "Swan Lake". Indeed, she is much more enamoured of his best pal, the drummer "Fozzie" (Christopher Hirsh). Well that might be because he can smile, comes across as vaguely charismatic and has few of the hang-ups of his rather dull and lovestruck buddy. Things take quite a twist when he is advised to try out his new weapons on just about every/any member of the female sex he can find, but again he is left high and dry. Then. Eureka! A drachma drops and perhaps we realise that maybe that is just his lot in life... It's quite good fun this with some pithy narration from Matheny as his emotional void provides us with quite a lot to giggle at in just eighteen minutes. The production is nothing special, but the story flows well and there's the odd bit of jazz in there too.

'GOD OF LOVE': Four and a Half Stars (Out of Five)

This 18 minute black and white short film won the Academy Award last year (2010) for best Live Action Short. It was written and directed by Luke Matheny. Matheny stars in the film as well. He shot the film on the Red One camera (very effectively) with director of photography Bobby Webster.

In the film Matheny plays an expert dart thrower and lounge singer named Raymond who's in love with a girl in his band named Kelly (Marian Brock). Kelly has strong romantic feelings for Ray's best friend Fozzie (Christopher Hirsh) though, who won't go near her due to 'friend code'. Ray prays before every show for God to show him a way to win over Kelly's affections. His prayers are answered one day (or so he thinks) when someone drops off a box of darts with magical 'love potion' powers. The trick is they only work for six hours so Ray must find a way to earn Kelly's 'true love' in that time.

The movie is quirky and charming and magically upbeat. It doesn't play down it's true message though and skimp out for cheap and clichéd effect. In that way the movie is especially strong. The performances are all great (especially Matheny) and the dialogue sharp and witty. The black and white is a nice effect and the cinematography is beautiful as well. It's hard to rate a film so short, as with all short films (it's not even the running length of a half hour sitcom), but taking that into account I'd have to say it's one of the better live action shorts I've ever seen. Very nicely done!

Watch our review show 'MOVIE TALK' at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rzBIHq5e3E

"God of Love" was a wonderful experience to sit through. I don't often give movies tens, but in cases like this where I can't imagine a change that I could make that would improve it I happily give it all the points it deserves. It's quick and clever dialog, unusual story and deft, casual acceptance of it from all the characters was excellent. Ray was a character presented with complications, but without getting dark, heavy-handed or untrue to his original writing, he transitioned and grew all within the context of a fun and endearing comedy. An impressive feat for which Matheny deserves as many awards as he picks up.

The generosity, for the final, remains the basic message of this profound beautiful film about love, darts, desire and a gift more than precious.

Inspired by the myth of cupid, resurrecting the Olympus characters in two moments, defining the step between selfishness/ jealousy/ experiment to the noble gesture of friendship, it is just delightful.

The work of Luke Matheny is eccentric, gentle and good source for a sort of soft enthusiasm. Because all reminds old things, in proper manner, all is seductive in great manner and wise crafted.

Just a gift, this is the impression after its end, remarking the mix of humor and lovely solutions defining a story about love, born as answer to a pray full of egocentrism, finishing as a mission deeply assumed.

I was extremely pleased with this short comedy. The film is incredibly well directed. The dialogue is quite pleasant throughout the story and very well delivered, especially by its leading man/director. The interesting thing about this film is that it is very well executed from all angles. Comedies often fall victim to standard or boring cinematography. "God of Love" however, is very well shot. It easy to see the consideration give to each and every piece of imagery.

I found myself reciting pieces of dialogue for weeks after seeing the film. They also do a great job getting the viewer to join them on the wild ride that is the world they've set up in the film. We don't feel the need to question whats happening (the out of the ordinary aspects), we as viewers just buy in and enjoy the ride.

Its hard to imagine any reasonable way this film could be improved. I strongly recommend it to anyone that enjoys watching movies. A+