In Search of a Midnight Kiss (2007)

(Warning: Contains very mild spoilers)

In Search of a Midnight Kiss was one of the better films I saw at the Melbourne International Film Festival. I don’t think it’s as good as some are saying it is (e.g. Jeffrey Wells), but it kept me interested throughout (when it had the potential to become tedious very quickly) and is a real crowd-pleaser (as the reaction of the audience I saw it with demonstrated).

Plot concerns a date on NYE between 29 yrs old Wilson (Scoot McNairy) – someone who’s life is in such a dismal state personally and professionally that he can barely get out of bed in the morning – and a young woman called Vivian (Sara Simmonds) who at first appearance appears to be a major cynic and misanthrope. It hardly seems like a match made in heaven but…

There’s a scene right at the beginning of ISOAMK that showcases why it’s an above-average film. Wilson is masturbating to a computer image where he’s grafted the head of his best friend’s girlfriend onto a picture of a naked woman… and then gets caught by his best friend and his girlfriend. It’s quite funny but at the time mentally I was rolling my eyes as I find this sort of humour based on humiliation and embarrassment done relentlessly in modern film and a poor substitute for wit and inventiveness. However it turns out that the incident isn’t just used for an easy laugh but is notable as it leads to significant and surprising multiple consequences later on in the film.

While there’s a sub-plot of the relationship between Wilson’s rather foolish best friend and his long-term girlfriend, this film lives or dies on how the relationship between Wilson and Vivian comes across. While at times it strains the bounds of credibility, it never loses its way, is always interesting and has a satisfying conclusion.

However, this isn’t a film without some distinctive flaws. A particularly jarring aspect is the characterisation of Vivian’s husband. Actually, characterisation is being too kind as he’s portrayed as nothing more than a stereotypical Southern redneck. It’s tiresome enough seeing this stereotype used for the zillionth time (if I was from the American south it would drive me up the wall how often it’s used in film), but it’s particularly jarring in a film that otherwise consciously tries to make multi-faceted and realistic characterisations. As well, that Vivian’s husband is such a thuggish dolt it’s very hard to believe how they were ever together in the first place

Also, apart from some very brief comments from Wilson about why he’s in such a funk, ISOAMK seems to be consciously avoiding any references linking it to the present day, as if it wants to have a ‘timeless’ quality. This is a film that pretty much could’ve been made 10 or even 20 years ago and I don’t think that’s a positive; it means that it has a somewhat ‘generic’ feel, lacking the specific small details that would’ve made it rise into an A-grade film.

Overall however, ISOAMK is an impressive effort that and if given the chance schedule wise, could be a breakout independent hit in America.

And finally, the b&w look of the film really is striking, impressive on an obviously low budget.

(Note: Image linked from Rotten Tomatoes)