Cocoa

A story about two sisters who invent a chocolate cake that makes you lose weight? Get out the popcorn and sign me up! At the time of this review, this film is free on Amazon Prime. But even if it was a standard 3.99 rental on Amazon, it would be well worth it. Hell, I'd pay to see this in the theater! This movie was likeable, charming and wacky fun from beginning to end. It goes deliciously over the top in a way comedies used to back in the day, and I couldn't get enough of it. I loved the sisters, the story... the cake! Let's face it, these are not the easiest times in the world. Here's a film where for an hour and a half you can just forget about everything, sit back and have a really great time. What's not to love about that? Kudos to the filmmaker. Now let's eat some cake!

Triple threat Jody Mortara, who serves as the writer, star, and co-director (with Joe Gawalis) of "Cocoa," delivers a fun comedy about two sisters (Jody Mortara and Megan McGarvey) who develop a special cake that allows people to enjoy the desert with the knowledge that they are cutting weight as a result. The chemistry between Mortara and McGarvey is clear immediately, and the two provide for a fun and entertaining ride as they encounter a multitude of silly characters who are intrigued by their creation. If you're looking for a fun and silly comedy, check out "Cocoa." I highly recommend this fun film!

Jody Mortara's comedy Cocoa is designed and executed to be as light and free of heaviness as the miraculous calorie-free chocolate cake concocted by the movie's central buddy act: sisters Faith (Mortara) and Hope (Megan McGarvey), who team up after disaster hits both of them simultaneously. Just as Faith's world collapses in an acrimonious divorce, Hope, a brilliant chemist, loses her job, leaving them both penniless and in need of quick cash. When they combine their respective talents in baking and science to invent a a cake that helps people lose weight the world beats a path to their door led by benefactor Charles (John Bernieri) and Jacqueline (Marian Edmiston), a kind venture capitalist, but just as they are on the verge of success, the film's titular character, Cocoa, an adorable dog with a sweet tooth wrecks their plans and everything spins out of control. Soon the sisters are enmeshed in a complex web of high jinks involving a wacky vet, Dr. Dogwood (Pat Swearingen), a jealous husband, Mortimer (Joh Soresi), a duplicitous gigolo, Lucas (Cedric Gegel) a local mob boss, Carmine (Tony Cucci), the entire police department, and a ham-fisted local traffic reporter, Christina (Siena D'Addario). Writer/Star Mortara, who co-directs, produces and edits with Joe Gawalis, keeps the tone light and the pace rapid, while DP John Bianco lights high key with a palette of confectionery colors.

This was a really enjoyable movie. Story centers around two sisters at the end of their rope financially who invent something that has never existed before: chocolate cake that makes you lose weight. This kicks off a crazy adventure with a colorful cast of supporting characters. You've got the wealthy socialite wife (investor), her bumbling underling, a mob boss interested in getting a piece of the action, one dead body, a sick dog, police, a news reporter hell-bent on making her mark, the list goes on. Kudos to writer/co-director and lead actress Jody Mortara and co-director Joe Gawalis for keeping the pace and the silliness happening at regular intervals. In the spirit of the British comedies of late. I really liked this one!

I truly enjoyed Jody Mortara's comedy Cocoa. A comedy with adventure, that hope and faith can allow us to push through just about anything, as seen throughout this fast pace unpredictable hilarious comedy. The two sisters, Faith (Mortara) and Hope (McGarvey) had a wonderful relationship that grew with every turn. The lovable dog Cocoa was another element of lighthearted and unpredictable fun. When Cocoa eats the secret chocolate cake creation it seemed like it was the end, until Dr Dogwood saves the day. Of course, a crazy Dr that appears to have only one foot in this reality and bring Cocoa back to life!

I Hope to see more entertainment like this in the future. We need lighthearted comedy, fun adventure, and something to always remind us that we all need more Faith and Hope.