WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
“You guys are going to LOVE him/her!” How many times have we heard this statement emanating from a friend who’s so overtly smitten with his/her latest beau that it becomes potentially dubious from the start that this new individual is ACTUALLY that amazing? Always wishing that our beloved sweetheart is accepted, appreciated, and, oh let’s face it, ADORED by our pals, could it be possible that WE end up the ones whose eyes are obstructed from the truth? Affable Barry (Shane Millward) has set up a double date with trusted chums Anthony (Efkan Cetin) and Sarah (Zoe Panaretos) at a local eatery, ecstatic for them to meet his new love, Alex (Adrianne Armida). What ensues becomes a terrifyingly abject lesson that age-old fact–love can REALLY be blind!
Next, my Mind:
Suffice it to say, this Australian-based effort is a complete exercise in totally hilarious, wholly irreverent, overtly over-the-top, just plain crazy humor that offers one frighteningly undeniable reality–it’s eerily relatable in spite of it all! A virtual “how-NOT-to” guide to choosing the one we might call our significant other, this highly cheeky, no-holds-barred comedic short film from writer/director/producer/editor Matt Vella wastes no time in poking absolute, intentionally ludicrous, fully laughable fun at the entire institution that is dating and all its associated elements and faux paus that we often might take for granted when it comes to our own assessments of compatibility–especially when what we hope IS love has immersed us in its grasp–or otherwise have actually experienced in some form as displayed here, though this critic truly hopes NOT to THESE extremes!
I’ve said a multitude of times in the past that certain styles of comedy are just not my personal preference, and that often said styles can more take away from my enjoyment of a film in this vein as opposed to receiving wholeheartedly the purposed jocularity. While I will need to say this film has more than its fair share of undisguised, blatantly off-color instances, it’s ultimately the CONTEXT in which is it employed here that I just couldn’t dispute was uproariously engaging BECAUSE of the extremes it ventures into. Mix this in with the wonderfully lighter-hearted, foundational laughs and smiles the film elicits and you have a total comedic package worth investing in via a view. As hinted at above, the cornerstone concept about a regular guy just wanting his friends to accept his new girlfriend and the subsequent chaos that ensues which drives them to desperately try to shake the blinders from his eyes is so accessible and understandable, even from the standpoint of our own possible adventures with dating, that it makes for one entertaining romp.
The notions plumbed here throughout the narrative cover not just dating as a whole, but the ideas of our “type”, individual quirks, life change, connection as a couple, our friend’s acceptance or rejection and the associated support or admonishing, being quick to judge others, having no filters, certainly people not always being who we thought they were, feelings of inadequacy, and the core thematic focal point of being too enamored to see the evident (INSANE!) actualities right in front of us. It’s all explored to magnificently executed levels of insanity here to illustrate these points while allowing the viewer to sit back and let the shock and awe of it all flow over you with “LMFAO”-level impact. Plus, just the portrait of how we so quickly attempt to rationalize choices we’ve made to others until the proverbial wool FINALLY gets pulled from our line of sight is intelligently done here as well. Visually the film is presented with a beautifully sequenced flow that truly makes the absurdity spring to vivid life, leaving many of its gags out there in plain view while certain others are left to conjecture, but are still more than well comprehendible. Moreover, the film’s finale definitively puts the scenario’s ideas to rest in an equally brash yet thoroughly apropos way!
Millward comes across precisely as he should–charming, amiable, warm, and amusingly naïve–through his role as Barry, a complete “everyman” bent on convincing two best friends that his new girlfriend is very much “all that” and then some. While it becomes obvious at the start this won’t be the case on an initially basic level, it only gets enhanced when she shows up to the restaurant and events fall into all-encompassing mayhem. Yet, in it all, Barry remains entirely ignorant to it all, explaining away everything occurring as “her just being this or that” while not at all SEEING what’s happening and how wrong she is for him. It’s a riot seeing so much insanity unfolding and yet it being treated as “nothing” by Barry even as his friends are URGENTLY trying to “wake” him up. Throughout, Millward has this unique deadpan delivery that just amplifies the character’s aforementioned naiveté, and Millward just milks it for everything it’s worth with excellent comedic timing and facial expressions in particular.
Armida (here credited as Adrianne Gullotta) has the true gem of a time here through her performance playing the frenetic, off-kilter, purely deranged Alex, Barry’s new gal pal and decidedly disturbed individual whose glaring madness is somehow lost on him altogether. From the moment she enters the establishment, to the time she first sits down at the table, to all the other out-of-control antics that come from that point on, Alex makes it more than clear she’s here to show nothing but contempt for others, express her crude, unapologetic manner that would make any prep school headmistress blush, and basically be every man’s worst nightmare times infinity. Even when having all-too-UNcommon and WAY brief moments of “normalcy” at the table or during the “girl talk” in the bathroom with Sarah, it’s still to such warped ends it makes Alex the epitome of BEING labeled as the recipient of the film’s title. It’s a brilliantly rambunctious, boisterous, rowdy, and overall side-splitting effort that Armida just NAILS to a “T” here.
Primary supporting roles arrive through the delightfully tandem duo of Cetin and Panaretos as Barry’s friends Anthony and Sarah, whose decision to attend the double date quickly turns to HUGE regret after Alex arrives and upends everything to hellish degrees. Sarah’s total shock and disgust at everything Alex says and does is a hoot to watch, presented with a sublime combination of deadpan and emotionally-charged exasperation that Panaretos provides us so splendidly. Likewise, Anthony’s “shocked and utterly baffled” reactions constantly arising while also trying to be a voice of reason to Barry while the disorder unfolds around them is quite funny as well, with Cetin infusing the character with these emotional attributes while not OVER acting the part. Additional supporting roles are present from Tyler Busch as waiter Ray who ends up on the wrong end of Alex’s machinations along with Joshua Vincente and Matt Vella as other patrons who likewise have the unfortunate “luck” of being present in the eatery this day.
Others who make an appearance are Joey Cruz Andres, D.K. Bondad, Terri Ferreira, Socrates Sam Krinelos, Amy Martin, Brendan Micallef, David Owen-Clarke, Andrew Pope, Christie Rogers, Matthew Waddington, and Lauren Waters. In total, “She’s Not Your Type” CONCLUSIVELY offers the antithesis of what anyone (I would honestly HOPE!) would wish for in a dating situation, much less from/in their prospective partner. But, it’s the wondrous beauty of film that allows this aspect of real life to be treated so hysterically and entertainingly well while perhaps reminding us how being in love can indeed make us blind.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
