How to Go Out on a Date in Queens (2006)

Some things I liked some I did not.

SERIOUSLY. This is what the crap Hollywood still puts out?

Let's be realistic.

Dreadfully Boring

Queens, a borough of NYC, has an intriguing sub-culture, if this movie is accurate. It aspires to being as "hip" as Manhattan but doesn't quite get there. In this tale, Artie (Rob Estes) is a top tier auto mechanic and body repairman, still in rather deep depression after losing his wife two years ago. The front office man at the shop, Stan (Brian Dillinger) is a know-it-all who has been dating, as he says, for 16 years and wants to set Artie up with a blind date. Artie resists until he sees a dove land on a car. Believing it to be a sign from heaven, Art agrees to meet a friend of Stan's current girlfriend, Amy (Kimberly Paisley-Williams). Before the big event, Stan overloads Artie on how to make the date a success. But, when the foursome actually meet, things don't go very smoothly. Artie does have eyes for the bartender, Karen (Alison Eastwood), as the night moves along. Meanwhile, the restaurant manager, who longs to plan a wedding, is upset that her fiancé, Frankie (Esai Morales) is going to bet their wedding money on the Superbowl. Finally, a two bit gambler, Johnny (Jason Alexander) is in deep debt to the Russian mafia and may have only one hope of repaying them before they make him suffer the "ultimate interest rate". This terrifies his lady, Ann Marie (Christine Dunford) who wants to marry him. Henchman Vito (Ron Perlman) may be on his way to find Johnny. How will romance thrive in Queens? This interesting film has a good cast, a unique locale, fun accents, well-chosen costumes, a competent script and so on. No, its not a light-hearted romantic comedy, as one might suppose. However, there are amusing moments, amid some very touching and very scary ones. Those viewers who like the offbeat flicks will most likely want to make a date with Queens.

What a fun movie! I was having a rough day at work and literally the whole debacle of the dinner date made my evening. I loved how the director was able to weave such intense emotional responses amongst a lot of good humor. And I'm huge Jason Alexander fan anyways so getting to see him in that light was so much fun. Also Rob Estes was super sad the whole time- I just wanted to squeeze him! Also I have some relatives in Queens and the stereotypes they were poking fun at were actually quite life like. Its dangerous territory that's for sure. Seriously though I'd certainly recommend it for a date night- the chemistry between the characters was great.

I am also one of those who bought the movie because of Jason Alexander, as I was curious how he would develop his career.I found the movie full of clichés, the man crying about his lost wife etc., not very realistic.I was not able to see the connection between the former man with Alexander's story about money. What was the connection? And besides, I wasn't sure why Jason had to gain so much weight and grow a beard for this role. Do you know? I have to write another two lines to submit this comment.Well, I have done this by now.

**SPOILERS** (not that it really matters) The film starts off with hints that it could be an original, interesting piece with less-than-great acting (except for Mr. Alexander, who made the film, if the film was made at all) alongside a well-thought out plot line. But, after a mere five minutes into this monstrosity, the main character sees a dove, a move the writer/director seems to have thought was inconspicuous yet clever, but is literally the most cliché set-up in film, and maybe even storytelling history. Midway through, the main character literally has a nervous breakdown masked as passion and torment in the middle of the date, the focal point of the film (one date in Queens, New York), and comes off as a whiny, weak, insecure, confused and depressed sociopath. Of course, none of this prevents the same character from falling in love with the waitress of the restaurant where the date occurred, followed by both of their sightings of doves at the end of the movie. Jesus.The character's shadow, a greasy little weasel who is supposed to be some sort of dating expert, comes off as nothing more than a greasy little weasel. Perhaps this was the intention of the writer, since such an obvious move hopes to teach viewers how great the main character is supposed to be (an innocent and simple blue collar worker who yearns for love) by comparison. Unfortunately he is nothing more than a confused moron who can't get over his wife for the life of him (his words, not mine) but somehow manages to fall in love with a random waitress who overhears his whiny rant about loss.I give this movie a 2 point because both Jason Alexander and Ron Perlman were in it (probably as a favor to one of the producers) and raised the bar as far as character development and acting go (even through Ron Perlman did not have a large role). I give it another 1 for effort. See this film for any of the following reasons: boredom, you were paid to, to learn how to make a bad film, or because you think something of what I described truly appeals to you. Cheers!