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

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.

If calling a film "light" and "refreshing" smacks somewhat of a soda pop commercial, it is for fairly good reason. "101 Ways" is consistently humorous, without reaching belly-aching proportions. When it ventures away from quick quips and fast puns, it never becomes offensive. In a nutshell, it is satisfying and well-worth the viewing, but not always the most substantive choice.

It is, after all, a movie about a girl's quest for romance and a career -- pretty standard fodder for many romantic comedies. Without love and without a job, Watson (played very adeptly by Wendy Hoopes) must find a way to make the payments on her beloved Volvo. But "101 Ways" does turn the genre on its head, narrowing the focus of Watson's love life to a supermarket check-out clerk, and (as the title implies) keeping her material hopes limited to the Swedish import sedan.

(The potentially confusing title is a reference to those pesky flyers seen all over college dorms, entitled "101 Ways to Make Love Without Having Sex." In this case, Watson seems to find that she encounters "101 Ways to Get F***ed Without Having Sex," which is pretty much the running joke of the entire movie.)

It is this balance of the absurd -- blending a healthy dose of paradox in a normally predictable setting -- that gives "101 Ways" its edge. The airline captain Dirk (Gabriel Macht), who reminds us that airline captains are long overdue for a good lampooning, is an especially welcome example of this. But Connecticut suburbs, brand new Volvos, and gargantuan supermarkets can only take a movie so far before dysfunctions on a Todd Solondz-type level can push it further.

This is definitely one of those movies I call "entertaining"; nothing heavy or prophetic, just NICE actors with a NICE story to share with the viewer. Sit back and relax with this one. Don't make a big sacrifice to see it, and don't expect a strong comedy out of it either-just fun.

"101 Ways..." is the perfect movie for those who can handle the shock that there's more to romantic comedies than Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. Love's long and winding road has more speed bumps than E-Z Passes.

What makes "101 Ways..." special is that it's a story of a small town girl with big city dreams-or is it a big city girl with small town dreams-trust me-the lead's a girl (Watson) and there is a dream sequence (the hottest supermarket checkout you'll likely see). Where was I? What makes this movie special are all the unique characters Watson comes across as she tries to find Zen in love, job, and car ownership.

From the over protective mother to a fatherly police officer. From a gigolo pilot and a lovelorn cop. From a crappy job to even crappier jobs. Watson encounters a cast of characters-some so special they could even warrant their own film-and quirky situations that she struggles through in funny and surprising ways.

One last note. Kudos to the filmmaker for a making an independent film that doesn't take place in NYC or LA and doesn't involve guns. This film is a refreshing change of pace.

I viewed 101 Ways at a screening in Manhattan and enjoyed every second of it! It's a cleverly written, light hearted story with characters whose plights almost every young adult can relate to. The witty dialogue and subtle humor make you laugh out loud. The script and the acting is refreshingly funny and the film is thoroughly enjoyable! I loved it!