Mal (Tom Cavanaugh) is a typical anti-social professor, totally obsessed with his own research. So much so that he has failed to do the 1st commandment of university instruction, "publish or perish". Therefore, unless he gets his recent findings into a major journal, his days are numbered as a researcher. His friend and colleague (Ileanna Douglas) has also tried to set Mal up with women but he has always been reluctant. Now, Mal turns to a former girlfriend (Nadia Dajani), who also happens to be an editor at a major woman's magazine called Belladonna, to help him get his current study into an article. You see, Mal has actually programmed a computer to "romance a woman" with catch phrases and displays of interest in what the woman actually says. Well, well. Therefore, Mal proposes an article about HIS computer competing for the affections of a chosen female against an actual male. The arrangements are made and the two other parties are selected, a pretty female named Samantha (Sarah Chalke) and a major masculine player, Dr. Love (Troy Rollins), also a professor. But, soon after the project starts, Samantha longs to meet the fellows she has been talking to so Mal must don the persona of a smooth Frenchman who, nevertheless, gets all of his lines from the computer ALONE and Dr. Love is, of course, himself. With two males in avid pursuit, which one will Sam choose? This is a cute, charming film despite having no major stars and an implausible premise. All of the actors do a fine job in their respected roles, although Douglas is virtually wasted. However, how nice to see Celeste Holm, as Mal's grandmother, for she is a major scene stealer. The obviously tight budget has resulted in a film that is only adequate in production values, for although the costumes are nice, the camera-work is amateurish. Nonetheless, if you adore romantic comedy and often are at odds in finding something new to watch, you should make efforts to locate this film. As in history, this Alchemy turns a somewhat leaden storyline into a golden experience for such viewers.
