20 Dates (1998)
Myles is divorced in L.A. He wants a love life and a film career. So he decides to go on 20 dates and find true love in front of a camera, making his first feature. His patient agent, Richard, finds a $60,000 investor, the shadowy Elie. Myles starts his search, sometimes telling his date she's being filmed, sometimes not. Elie wants sex and titillation, Myles wants it "real." Myles regularly talks with his old film teacher, Robert McKee, who wonders if love is possible in modern life. Half-way through the 20 dates, Myles meets Elisabeth; she's everything he desires and she likes him. Can he finish the 20 dates, satisfy Elie, and complete his film without losing Elisabeth?
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Good concept, poorly executed.
Excellent, a Must See
What a freaking movie. So many twists and turns. Absolutely intense from start to finish.
If you're interested in the topic at hand, you should just watch it and judge yourself because the reviews have gone very biased by people that didn't even watch it and just hate (or love) the creator. I liked it, it was well written, narrated, and directed and it was about a topic that interests me.
OK I sat through this movie and actually did like it. It wouldn't have been the same if Elisabeth Wagner hadn't been in it. She made this movie. Where did she come from and why hasn't she made more movies? She's very sexy in a quite smoldering kinda way. Don't walk out of this movie don't turn it off. Once this thing started I thought I might get up but I had to stay to see all of it. This is one of those movies that takes a little getting used to. Don't watch it expecting to see Tom Cruise and Kelly McGillis. Watch it expecting to be entertained by some interesting people. Would I watch it again? As long as Elisabeth Wagner will be in it, and what are the chances of her not being in it the next time I watch it? Only the Twlight Zone knows for sure.
If you are going to make a mockumentary (and sorry, folks, but that is exactly what this movie is), then make it obvious. Spinal Tap. Don't fake something and then shoot it as if it is real. It goes against the old adage "truth is stranger than fiction". If you are going to write fiction, then don't try to make it 100% believable. What is the point?Again, it has been shown that this is not a true documentary. There are things that would be easily verifiable had all this really occurred. Things (marriage licenses, hospital records, restraining orders, etc) would be public record. None of these records exist.
What exactly is everyone's problem with this movie? I just watched it and thought it was great - not just because of the scenes about real dating and love, but because of Myles's attempts to keep his producer and agent happy and make his first film. Two things: First, you don't need to like the lead to enjoy a movie. I liked Myles a lot, and thought he did a fine job, but have liked many movies with leads who weren't at all likable. Second: Everything in this movie seemed real to me. If there is some proof that anyone has that something was scripted or fake, please let me know. I watched it all and it seemed like an honest portrayal of one man's quest to find love and make a movie.
Was this a mockumentary? Was it a documentary? Was it a student film. I will say this: it was funny. Some of it was obviously fictional, I just don't know how much. Was this a doccumentary which was re-edited with some scripted parts to give it pizazz or was it supposed to be this way from the beginning. It certainly kept me guessing. It wasnt' as good at its press, though it obviously impressed people at Slam Dance. It doesn't actually have anything to say about dating in Los Angeles, except in repeating the old adage about LA women needing an emotional sky-cap to carry all the baggage they bring with them. The nebish trying to get a date bit has been done so much better in every one of Woody Allen's films. So why do I like this movie so much? I have no idea. It's on cable now, so watch it.