I'm not a relationship-turned-sour movie kind of guy. But the "Worst Year of My Life" was a surprisingly good watch. It moves at a good clip, has clever moments, and solid cinematography and sound. It was evidently made on a shoestring budget, but the production quality is very good and it has a definite indie/art house vibe.
This is the type of film that fits a genre (i.e., "romantic comedy") but that is also completely out of the box.
The two lead actors (Trevor St. John David as "Kyle" and Amy Vorpahl as "Amber") are believably flawed and so not meant for each other. I didn't know which one to hate more -- but they both gave solid performances, and kept my attention. Well played!
"The Worst Year of My Life" is told through the voice and, in many cases, wild imagination of Kyle -- a sucker who gets snubbed by his dream girl after he empties his bank account and 401k savings to fund her dream (a bakery, which she quits after two months and then dumps him).
Ah young love - what idiots we are when passion masks common sense.
Usually I don't comment on direction, but I thought there were so many good creative decisions made in the film that I tip my cap to director Jonathan Smith. The use of the pretty shrink whom Kyle spills his guts to (and in the process shows us his own emotional warts) was well done. After his session ends, Kyle continues to rant to her in his mind (the shrink follows him around and acts as a subconscious Voice of Reason to help Kyle rant and keep his emotions in check).
There are also a few fantasy scenes involving a ripoff of The Dating Game and a Gun Duel -- it's madcap stuff, but effective nonetheless.
I won't get into the story and its gyrations, twist and turns. Just know that if you invest 80 minutes or so in "Worst Year of My Life" it could be one of the more entertaining micro-budget indie films you see this (great) year.
