Lust for Love

"Disappointed" is the word that springs to mind after finishing this film for the first time. After watching the trailer I was sure this would be a hit - what could go wrong with throwing together a load of Dollhouse alum in front of the camera? Apparently, almost everything. Fran Kranz, as always, plays his role brilliantly considering what he had to work with and is, in my opinion, the film's only saving grace. The acting in general is largely wooden, the directing is flat and uninteresting, the plot is cliché and predictable, but most of all - the script is horrendous. The writer seems to opt for a snappy Whedon-esque form of dialogue that falls so flat for the most part, it can be painful to watch.

I can only express my sincerest condolences to those who backed this project on Kickstarter, and were looking forward to this film as much as I was.

Watched this chic flick because I had watched Franz Kranz in 'Murder of a Cat', which I loved. But here Franz falls flat in this over long story of Astor chasing the wrong girls.

From the start the viewer can easily see that Hazel (I think that was her name) is the one he loves but director Anton King squeezes as much as he can out of the confused Astor. The funny bits are average at best and just helps to keep the easy story moving. I didn't find any of the characters believable and became impatient for the obvious end of who Astor will be with.

The only plus I can give Lust for Love is the 'eye candy' in a few scenes!

Astor (Fran Kranz) has a crush on Mila (Beau Garrett) since the age of four. After one drunken night, she starts going out with him. His clingy obsessive romantic ways irk her. After breaking up, he seeks the help of her former friend Cali (Dichen Lachman).

This indie has some intriguing actors, several of them gorgeous women. There are probably a few too many beautiful women. Fran Kranz is a good nerdy lead. Dichen Lachman doesn't really project sexual chemistry with him. The addition of Caitlin Stasey muddles the romantic chemistry unnecessarily. Beau Garrett has a great climatic scene and makes a compelling point. In the end, this indie has a surprisingly good cast and the muddled rom-com does have a point of view. The dialog is a little clunky romanticism at times. It's a close call which gets a pass due to its appealing actors.

While we wait for Joss Whedon's own scifi/romance movie "In Your Eyes," those of us who have become enamored of the many talented actors he has worked with and whose careers he has cultivated over the years have something to watch. "Lust For Love" is a Kickstarter-funded, Web-based (so far) project that reunites several of the cast members of Whedon's short-lived but brilliant TV series "Dollhouse" -- Fran Kranz, Dichen Lachman, Enver Gjokaj, Miracle Laurie, Maurissa Tancharoen, and Felicia Day. They obviously became close during their "Dollhouse" experience, and that closeness just as obviously carries over into this delightful rom-com.

I'll be honest and state that I'm probably too old to appreciate this movie. It seems aimed at an audience 20-somethings, and as such I would say that it succeeds admirably. Kranz is tremendous as the nebbishy Astor, hoping beyond hope to get back together with the narcissistic girl of his dreams Mila (played by non-Whedon-alum Beau Garrett). Towards this end he secures the services of Mila's ex-best friend Cali (played superbly by Dichen Lachman, who also co-produced this film). Much embarrassment and dating horror ensue, almost all of it portrayed with heart, and a fairly light heart at that. This is not one of those cynical movies about dating and romance.

It was great to see many of the "Dollhouse" actors together again, and those who loved them will probably be the first audience for this film. But I thought that the film (written and directed by first-timer Anton King) has merits of its own, and I hope it reaches a wider audience. I suspect that it could stand on its own among the classics of young-people romance films, up there with "Say Anything."

I had been waiting for quite some time for this movie to become available. As a hug fan of most all the cast members I was hoping the film would deliver. I am happy to report that is does indeed. I found the film to reflect all the hard work and love that it is obvious was poured in it by Anton King the director and the cast. The chemistry between Dichen Lachman and Fran Kranz is wonderful. Fans of "Dollhouse" will of course be thrilled to see former cast members reunited for this project. Miracle Laurie gives a wonderful performance as does Enver Gjokaj. Add in a dash of Felicia Day and how can you go wrong right? I have already watched Lust for Love twice now and I enjoyed it even more the second viewing. I recommend seeking this film out. Its perfect timing for a watch over Valentines Day single or otherwise!