The bane of a film critic’s work is the middle of the road movie. Not bad, not great; good in a “it’s nice, but…” kind of way. And in the ellipsis is the struggle to find some egregious flaw or outstanding quality around which to write a review. Something. Anything. On the upside, “Only For You” can boast of emotional authenticity. Writer/director Donna Persico keeps it real and away from melodramatic contrivances, even if the obligatory romantic obstacles are all but air-lifted into the plot at just the right time. With scenarios drawn from the universal human experience, we have a case of boy and girl meet, boy and girl fall in love, boy and girl are kept apart by circumstance and self-inflicted indecision. It’s nice. But…it’s all a little obvious, isn’t it? From the sensible advice Jack (Buie) and Dana (Currie) receive (on more than one occasion), to the Denial Two-Step, “Only For You” is honest, but lacking spark. Sweet with a dash of bitters, but not intense.
The Disappointments
As the leads, Matt Buie and Shea Currie exude a tender chemistry that, well, works; Brian Krause from “Charmed” meets Melissa Joan Hart. Supporting performances, most notably from Ellis Williams as Jack’s cheerful co-worker, are appealing, too. If a plot can run on the sheer likeability of its cast, it certainly does here. Persico’s direction, benefiting from a surprising diversity of locations, is similarly likeable in the sense that while it gets the job done, every so often she’ll offer a particularly sleek camera angle or suave editing trick.
And here’s the part of the review where I’m at a loss as to what more to say. I liked the film. I think Persico has skill as both a writer and director, and I’d love to see what she comes up with next. But despite all of that, I’m just not excited about the film. I’m underwhelmed enough to resort to writing in an informal, subjective, first-person manner that is an uncomfortable departure from my usual stilted pseudo-academic style. The film isn’t layered enough for an in-depth dissection, nor quite “artsy” enough to marvel over cinematography. Portland, a beautiful city, is where the film takes place, but Portland’s unique charm doesn’t quite come through; not much to rave about there, either. Even the ending lacks controversy, being predictably, but necessarily, ambiguous and wistful.
Is it possible that maybe the film is a little too down-to-earth? Is it possible that the story needed a touch more melodrama? I don’t think so. The problem isn’t with the what, but with the how. “Only For You” has the right moves, but lacks the energy to tear up the dance floor.
Entertainment Value: * (out of two)
Technical Quality: * (out of two)
Only For You. Written and directed by Donna Persico. Starring Shea Curry, Michael Buie, Ellis Williams and Kate Albrecht. 82 minutes. Available at www.echelonstudios.us
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