eCupid - Amor Por Download

I enjoyed this film a lot more than I thought I would. "eCupid" is a story about an unhappy boyfriend who downloads what I would consider a magical virus to his phone. The virus – or phone app, I guess – sabotages his relationship with his boyfriend and takes him on a crazy whirlwind of gay adventures.

This is a fun film that will get a smile out of you. What is great about this film is that is that it's not as ridiculous as the premise sounds. This is not crack humour. "eCupid" is a fun and relatable story that will have you laughing with it at every step of the way.

I thought the actors were very attractive and their romantic chemistry was undeniable but their performances were a bit stiff. None of the scenes were too deep or thought-provoking but overall it is a very sweet and romantic story.

Words to describe this movie: light, superficial, mindless, adolescent, artificial, unreal.

In several ways, this movie reminded me of lightweight television sitcom programming or a brainless romantic comedy. Even the values here are sitcom values, despite the gay theme. And not intelligent sitcoms, but the lame kind. The characters' problems are phony and trivial television problems that can, and will, be easily resolved.

There are lots of gay men kissing and showing affection in the film, but there's no real passion, no T&A, not even open-mouth kissing. This is an anodyne homo heaven free of ugliness and suitable for all viewers.

I'm not against the concept of gay fluff and I realise there must be a market for this out there; however, it's just not for me. It surprises me that gay men would want to watch this kind of thing. Who is this movie meant to appeal to?

This movie shows the moviegoer a California subculture of gay people in their 20s who have perfect gay lives, perfect jobs, perfect teeth, perfect homes, perfect boyfriends, perfect friends, perfect bodies. The biggest problems they have to deal with are turning 30 and getting turned down a few times by a tired partner.

Needless to say, this movie didn't really appeal to me at all. (And I enjoy light movies now and again.) It just wasn't that entertaining or funny. It certainly didn't enlighten me about being gay or human relationships. It didn't challenge me intellectually in any way whatsoever. It also didn't move me at all, despite the various clear attempts to elicit that kind of response. It's not really a movie for adults.

I assumed this was going to be a fluffy, fun, feel-good movie that would bring some smiles, if not actual laughs. So I wasn't expecting anything too deep or thought-provoking.

I guess that pretty well sums it up, although in the fun & feel-good department, it fell pretty flat. The two main characters lacked any real chemistry, so their break-up and all that followed didn't inspire much empathy/sympathy. The on-line service that took control of events quite often was more annoying & intrusive than mystically omniscient or whatever their presence was supposed to suggest. The anticipated, happily-ever-after denouement seemed pretty bland and contrived … even assuming you'd accept the dubious deus ex machina aspect of eCupid.

The cautionary tale regarding the dangers of reacting irrationally to the 7-year-itch and the warning that familiarity breeds ennui, which may prevent us from recognizing the value of what we could end up losing, are worthy but this may not be the most convincing vehicle for carrying that message.

.......sites such as this, and elsewhere.

And yes, let me say it right up front: This is a well-done production (Calciano is very good at surrounding himself with capable cinematography and sound folks---there's little to fault). Obviously, his casting personnel have done their best to provide us with cute and hunky co-leads, as well as a fun group of major supporting actors (mention of some, below). It was a rare moment when their character arcs didn't ring true (obviously, the writing helped here). As to Storyline, it's as much one of "today's world" as it could possibly be....giving us an enjoyable ride and any number of lessons to be learned.

BUT having said all that, a large reservation remains for me....and it involves the Romantic angle of a story like this. So, let me be the Bad Guy in this group and explain my last statement in the following way:

Some pre-release photo shots and a preview trailer led this Fan to believe, or HOPE, that our Good Director Calciano had perhaps read and heeded a past review of mine ("Is It Just Me?"), in which I took he and other Gay Romance film directors to task for NOT providing realistic kissing scenes. About his last film's attempts, I basically stated: "Blink and you'll miss 'em." ....But STILL, even in this latest work, it seems if you "double-blink," you'll miss 'em. Just maybe that's because our two "eCupid" lead actors give little more than quick pecks on the lips or cheek (surely not a case of: "Whoa...folks might think I'm Gay"!?). Though I must concede that Frat-Boy Dawson was really "persistent".....and fellow worker, Keith (Matt Lewis, in an exciting performance) gave his lip-lock a really good shot.

Other main supporting actors of note include Andy Anderson (Chris 1).....and of course, the inestimable Morgan Fairchild, as the Divinity Drive-In's Mother Confessor....and Guru of Love (she probably even "out-angels" Gabriel).

In the end, let's hope there will be "some" learning derived from reviews put out here by nonprofessional guys such as you and I. Let's also hope for better film productions in future. (Hey...despite all, I'd buy another of this Director's films.)

Now...how to finish all this up? Hmm? By George..I think I've got it! BY GEORGE..I think I've got it! I'll just reuse my parting words in reviewing our Director's last film:

"So, how to end all this? Let me do it by asking: Is it fun and cute and attention-holding? Well, yes....for the most part. But that doesn't mean it couldn't have been better....and my rating reflects that. (And yes, yes, yes....I have watched it more than once before butting in here)."

PS--Interesting that most all of the first 10 reviews are by "first-timers". Friends, possibly? (And, Adam Huss, you actually sneaked in here---Go, Baby!)

****

This film tells the story of a man who is having a seven year itch.

This comedy is light hearted, slightly far fetched but really fun to watch. It is funny and has got a semi serious message to it as well. I enjoyed it a lot.