Pretend That You Love Me

This unique little film uses its "one man army production" as a strength, and tells its story through a narrative a larger production would not be able to. Joel Haver is able to tackle his emotional longing for love in a most intimate fashion, by making you aware of himself as a filmmaker making a film. After having followed him on a number of different dates that all unfold in a very similar manner. We get a sense that the whole project is not just "some film", but an experimental process Joel endures in hopes of creating something with a lasting value. As the film continues the somewhat constructed love story crumbles, as Joel is met with a most devastating event, now in need of intimate love more than ever. A beautifully sad and profound film about loneliness that never can be replicated. An experience so honest and raw, that left me hopeful about the future of independent filmmaking. And its on YouTube!!!

This movie is truly heart wrenching. It felt so raw. It was so real. I loved every second of it. Highly recommend.

I've been a big fan of Joel for a while, and have watched a few of his films, so I knew on some level what to expect with this. The same cannot be said for my housemate. He's the sort of guy who likes movies on for background noise more than for plot, and is the last person I would expect to sit through anything resembling an 'indie' movie. I expected he would insist I turn this off within 5 minutes, but instead, we both sat there 90 minutes later speechless and with tears in our eyes.

What I'm trying to say is that Joel's filmmaking style is unlike anything I've ever encountered. It is so raw, so unfiltered, and so honest that it doesn't feel like you're watching a movie at all. The lines between fiction and reality are so blurred, and all the performances (if they can even be called that) are so insanely authentic and believable that you really feel you are a fly on the wall of the most intimate moments of these peoples lives.

At times this feels like watching a train wreck in slow motion. It can be agonizingly awkward but for some reason you can't look away. The creativity in which Joel uses the medium to convey such a strong and specific emotion reminds me of the power of indie movies, and how sometimes larger production and budgets can get in the way of emotion, rather than enhance it.

What else can I say. If you love indie movies, you will love this. If you hate them, I think you'll love it to.

This movie was a great watch. I shed a few tears watching it, it got me thinking of my grandad I lost when I was younger. Sometimes you just need someone to be with, and that's a great moral to this story. Growing up I couldn't stand the thought of living alone and I was terrified of having to do so one day, and to me this movie encapsulated that feeling spot on. Wanting to be with your family knowing they'll one day all die, an excellent premise. Although some scenes felt vacant, they still lingered with emotional honesty and sometimes you just need a movie that doesn't have too much going on at all times. Another important thing is that this movie stays true to itself. I give it 7 stars out of ten and I will probably watch it again in six years or so.

It's hard to differentiate what's fact or fiction in this movie, and that's a good thing. It's genuine. It's raw. It's life. Joel's cinematography and grading combined with the great performances and reactions just make this movie something to recommend. I definitely cried watching this.