eCupid

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.

.......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!)

****

Siri: Sorry Vye-ken, I can't find a reason "why eCupid has won so many GLBT Festival recognitions" may I suggest you look at the poster.

I honestly don't understand why this movie has so many laurel wreaths cradling "Best Picture", "Official Selection" awards from tiny American Queer Film Festivals on its poster. A crown made from laurel leaves used to mean that the recipient was an outstanding specimen of its kind and were raised to Olympian status. In movie terms it was an emblem of having made it to the Cannes movie festival. Instead, it appears people figured out that laurel wreaths can easily be made by stringing together a few bay leaves, who are the least popular and versatile members of our spice rack, and mislead many to mistake the movie for a good one.

eCupid is not a great movie, it's not even a good movie.

It is a cutesy little magical reality (the kind of stories your grandmother told you) flick that never should have made it out of the spell book. At least not without a lot more chanting and agonizing magic making - and maybe an eye of newt thrown in - to make the movie magic work. As it stands, eCupid doesn't really take off and left this reviewer feeling a little bruised. The story is predictable, with mediocre acting and such sad sets that make you want to make a donation to the filmmakers. It has all the essential - read predictable - ingredients: a cute male model type lead with a hug-able boyfriend, care-bearable friends and hot tamale one-night-stands. What it lacks is any reason to remember the movie once the credits start rolling...that is IF you end up staying till the end - because you don't need to at all, instead you may be able to catch another festival movie playing in the theater next door.

However, if you do tough it to the end, you will get to see Morgan Fairchild play a - wait for it - a country diner waitress. Shocking right?! All I remember from that scene is thinking how much more plastic can that women get before she starts melting under the movie lights!

This isn't such a bad movie but it looks like a Hallmark production. Very sweet and well scrubbed & bleached plot line and characters. That's not a bad thing but it makes for a shallow story

Simple story - two guys in love - relationship excitement has stalled - one looks on internet for a thrill - and a cupid takes over his life to fix their partnership/relationship.

It's silly and sentimental with predictable results. If you want an unchallenging story this flick is your ticket.

My question - why did the bedsheets make so much noise? Weird plastic sound!

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.