8/10
Funny & clever to the extreme, deserves its own cult following and more!
14 May 2008
Lindsay (Amanda Detmer) and Daniel (Devon Sawa) work for an advertising agency. When the company gets a new client, Marshall Jackson (Meatloaf) they find he is a bit of a sticky wicket, since he informs them that if their work is not up to snuff, he will end their careers. As Mr. Jackson is anxious to increase business at his ski resort, Lindsay, Daniel, and friends go to the place to get fresh ideas for their future ad pitch. While there, close friend Packer (Ian Virgo) slides down a mountain crevace with the attractive Jamie (Nectar Rose) and they end up getting trapped for hours. As a result of the "heightened excitement" of their situation, Packer and Jamie fall madly in love with each other. That gets Lindsay to thinking and not only about her work. She, too, has had trouble with men and her close pal and mentor, Daniel, has had his heart crushed as well. Maybe the two of them could hatch some "extreme" situations with the opposite sex where sparks will really fly. So, Lindsay promptly gets herself locked in the storeroom with a handsome co-worker, much to his chagrin. Things do not go as planned when Lindsay inadvertently causes a heavy shelf to fall on the unfortunate man. However, this does not prevent her from arranging for Daniel to be caught in a stopped elevator with a lady that works in the building. Alas, things do not turn out well in Dan's case either. But, nevermind, now co-worker Troy (the very handsome Andrew Keegan) wants to try his luck with the concept of extreme dating. He needs Lindsay and Daniel to help him fake a kidnapping of a pretty bank teller, Amy (Jamie-Lynn Sigler) so that he can pour out his heart to her. Uh, oh, is the pursuit of happiness about to go a little too far? This film rocked my world for an evening. It was funny, it was clever, and it had very attractive, talented cast. All the principal stars, Detmer, Sawa, Virgo, Keegan, Sigler and Meatloaf gave sly, vastly humorous performances. The rest of the cast was also just wonderful, especially the two shady "mural painters" who were hired to help with the Amy-napping. As for the costumes, sets, and photography, they were great for a film that was probably made on a shoestring. But, in truth, the big assets to this film are the ingenious script and the very secure direction. Most viewers will find themselves laughing repeatedly at the film's one-liners while shaking their heads with admiration for the flick's many twists and turns. Let's all do hope that this is not the last film for the near-brilliant screenwriter and director. Now, THAT would be extremely disheartening.
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