In Search of a Midnight Kiss

This is one of my favorite films of 2007. It captures perfectly the feeling of living and dating in this day and age. Midnight Kiss is also one of the few films I've seen that manages to convey both the male and female points of view, in a very truthful and funny manner. The actors are all fantastic, in particular the expressive Scoot McNairy and the lovely Sara Simmonds.

This is what every independent film should be - unique, engaging, laugh out loud funny and tear-inducing as well. I was never bored and left wanting more. The audience I saw it with included twenty-somethings on up to people in their 70s, and everyone raved about it afterwards - amazing to see a film connect with so many people from different age groups. I just hope Midnight Kiss is given a great marketing campaign and a chance to build audiences with word of mouth and good reviews, because this is a jewel of a film that deserves a chance to be seen and succeed at the box office. Well done!

Finding love – or any sort of emotional bond, or even just a one night stand – on the web might not be easier than in the "real world", but it's certainly a way to start looking for that someone if you're too shy or depressed to go out and meet people.

Alex Holdridge's extremely low-budget, black-and-white "In Search of a Midnight Kiss", is another variation of the "brief encounter" subgenre ("Lost In Translation", "Before Sunrise/Sunset") that I just love, and one of the finest feel good movies of the year. Despite some clichéd gimmickry of first-time filmmakers (this is Holdridge's third feature, actually), the movie relies on the chemistry of its protagonists, Scoot McNairy and Sara Simmonds, who are up for the task.

McNairy plays Wilson, who just got dumped by his long-term girlfriend (this is semi-autobiographical – Holdridge got dumped by his girlfriend and had his laptop stolen in real life, just like Wilson in the movie), who posts a Craigslist ad following a friend's idea. He decides to meet the first woman who calls him, Vivian (Simmonds), a chain-smoking, temperamental aspiring actress. But they hit it off. The movie is essentially their day together, while we wonder whether they will share a New Year midnight kiss or not...

"In Search of a Midnight Kiss" will be enjoyed by those who had a similar experience (that is, finding a nice person online – that can be as unlikely as getting randomly picked by a Belgian hottie on his last night in America - but I met my best friend online, so yes, these things CAN happen!), or those who dream of finding someone special. This film proves that a not so original premise and lack of technical resources can still make a good movie if the talents involved are able to make you want to go for the ride with them. And this search was a lovely ride. 8.5/10.

To tell the truth I wasn't really expecting much from this indie romantic comedy. Much in the line of other great indie movies like "Clerks", "Before Sunrise" or "Walking and Talking" nothing much happens in this movie apart from a lot of talking. Wilson (Scoot McNairy), a scriptwriter going through a terrible patch in life, is caught jerking off to his best friend's girl photoshopped picture. This naturally is the newest low in his disastrously low last three months. More entertained than mad his pal convinces Wilson to sign up to a dating service as 'The Misanthrope' in an attempt to avoid him having to spend New Year's alone. His first hit is Vivian (Sara Simmonds), a Texan girl, who has just left her man and is out to dominate in an attempt to have a fun night out. After a not-so-good initial meeting the pair suddenly seem to start hitting it off... but will they last till midnight and the midnight kiss? Funny, honest and filled with those awkward moments that populate any real conversation this is a refreshing change of pace from most American movies. There is absolutely nothing to distract you from the picture in the shape of cinematography (which is adequate and somewhat amateurish), music and other such typical movie filler. Therefore the dialogues and interaction of characters has to work in order for the movie to hit home. Several times I felt the movie is close to falling off the edge, but time after time it miraculously pounces back to make a heartwarming and almost perfect finale. I must admire the script as a whole, although not all of the conversations really seemed to work and some scenes seemed forcibly overcooked.

Scoot McNairy almost singlehandedly keeps this picture together with a commanding if reserved and exceptionally natural performance. The rest of the cast is OKish with Sara Simmonds sometimes giving in a strong performance, but multiple scenes she borders on being irritating and unlikeable. Somehow even when in danger of that happening the director with the aid of McNairy manages to put the movie back on track. And the last 15 minutes or so are really poignant and make the whole experience extremely worthwhile.

Alex Holdridge's film 'In Search of a Midnight Kiss' begins as the tale of a loser going on a date with a beautiful, painfully hip, but neurotic girl. This suggests a certain type of movie will follow; but as he gains confidence, and her act slips, a balance grows between them, they start flirting and the film soon starts to resemble Richard Linklater's 'Before Sunrise' (in fact, the resemblance only grows the longer the film lasts). In fact, I hated that film, but here, the characters are less self-regarding and the film has genuinely funny dialogue, coupled with interesting black and white photography, soppy indie guitar music (regulation for this type of film, but nonetheless effective) and a comic vision reminiscent of early Hal Hartley. If I have one criticism, it's that the sentimental mood that gradually takes the movie over possibly starts too soon; it's nicely done, but the film is at it's best before it settles into this comfort zone. This doesn't mean it isn't a humorous, romantic and artistic film.

This movie was great. The cast meshed well together. Felt like it was something I could relate to. Everyone has a year they "don't want to get out of bed and acknowledge New Year's Eve" and all it stands for. Ialso enjoyed seeing Twink Caplan again. I loved her in Clueless. Trying to find a date for New Year's Eve is something we can all relate to and In Search of a Midnight Kiss makes it something we've all been through or felt. I would highly recommend this movie to anyone of any age. I felt it was just the right length. I can't wait for it to open nationally so my friends and family can also enjoy it. Well worth the ten bucks which seems to be rare these days.