FILM INFO: A man wants to date again only to discover that he needs a résumé and cover letter in order to do so.
WRITTEN BY: Chris Esper DIRECTED BY: Chris Esper GENRE: Comedy TIME: 9 minutes.
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Undatement Center ( 2017 )
Short Film Review
I remember dating when I was young but I think it's a safe bet to say it was nothing like this. Back in "the day" you simply met someone, usually through friends, and proceeded to navigate the uncomfortable terrain that consisted of actually getting to know the person, and finally, asking said person to a dance or the movies. The "where to go" issues didn't really matter. What mattered was the nervous social interactions involved to get to that final destination. Fast forward to the present, or in the case of "Undatement Center," maybe slightly into the future. Things sure have changed according to Chris Esper, who wrote and directed this short film. I'll just get this out in the open and say this is not your typical date movie. The ideology is played out for the sole purpose of being considered funny. There's nothing here to suggest dating services have anything in common with the Undatement Center. Well... almost nothing. Certainly maybe only a striking resemblance to many actual dating agencies. Who am I kidding. Although "Undatement Center" may be taking things to the extreme, it's actually not all that far fetched of an idea. Most dating sites and agencies say they use a screening process, that promises a better match for the client, and to better their success rate. We all know the truth however, it's all about scoring more cash for their bank accounts. This is leading to more intensive screenings and testing, and as time goes by, the process is simply becoming harder... and more expensive. So why not have some fun with the idea? Let's consider the dating process as a job application. Did you bring your resume and cover letter? "Undatement Center" focuses on one main character who, after over a decade, simply wants to go on a date. Maybe, just maybe, it will end up being more. From the opening scene, where "Jack" is forced to the back of the line, because he didn't follow the correct procedure, I immediately knew this would be a funny nine minutes. Much like your favorite government driving facility, the Undatement Center plays on our familiar knowledge of agency line-ups. And it works. From the perspective of the interviewee, straight through to "Jack" interviewing candidates himself, we get to see first hand some really funny - but not quite ridiculous, dating procedures and processes. Processes I'm sure are used today, and some that you just know are not far behind. Yes ladies and gents, there are some really funny situations here, ones you simply can't help but laugh at. In an uncomfortable way of course. "Undatement Center" is funny because it's true, or will probably be true down the road. You can't argue the appeal of something like this, and as you watch the short film, you won't want to. Technically, Chris Esper manages to pull of a really well done low budget film. The edit works, the colors work and quite frankly, short of a massive boost in cash "Undatement Center" feels about as good as it can be. The story moves along nicely and our leading man Jack, played by Trevor Duke, fits the bill quite nicely. What I really found interesting was that even the supporting cast looked right at home in this film. Even if they were only onscreen for the briefest of times. That's something many indie films lack, with so much attention on the lead actors, generally the supporting cast falls short. Not here. Overall, this is a very well rounded short film from the viewers perspective. Having a little fun with the way our lovely planet is beginning to spin, can make for some really good comedy. That grain of truth is instantly recognized, making the comedy that much more appreciated. With a clear start, well done middle and excellent ending, "Undatement Center" really is a film to bet on. Quick, funny and entertaining. The three words that every short film crew want to hear. Well done.
