SLIGHTLY SINGLE IN LA wants to shine a light on single life in LA. It offers no new insights in this arena or provides any type of fun while watching. You come away with an empty feeling of what could have been an enjoyable movie with the right material.
Lacey Chabert is Dale, a woman who consistently falls for the wrong guy. They show an early montage of her finding her boyfriends in various compromising situations. These scenes are supposed to be funny, but they mostly fall flat. After another disastrous relationship she ups and moves to Los Angeles. Why she thinks this will solve her issues is beyond me or my comprehension. This basically serves as a template for her to move to LA. That’s it.
Dale works at a production company that puts out garbage reality shows like Dirty Roomies and Geezer Town. Once again here is an opportunity that should generate laughs but doesn’t. Dale has three gal pals to keep her company. There’s Jill (Haylie Duff), a slightly neurotic woman who is fixated on getting married even if it’s to the wrong man. Then there is Becca (Carly Schoeder), a wannabe actress trying to get ahead in this cutthroat business. Finally there is Hallie (Jenna Dewan-Tatum), who makes jewelry and thinks she is better than the superficial people around her. Dale also has a gay roommate named Seven (Jonathan Bennett) who is her voice of reason. We never do find out why his name is Seven. I am not sure what the point is other than the screenwriter thought it would be cute.
In LA, Dale continues her bad luck with men. She has a casual relationship with an Italian photographer named J.P. (Simon Rex). J.P. is a womanizer to the tenth degree, yet Dale is blind to this for several months. There doesn’t seem to be any connection between the two characters except for a physical one. I realize people engage in just solely physical relationships, but this one just never rang true. Rex uses an exaggerated accent that is hard to understand and is quite irritating. But according to the director commentary, the photographer who it is based on talks exactly like that.
This is the first feature film for Christie Will. She also wrote the screenplay. She states it is semi-autobiographical. Even though it is based on real people and real situations, it still seems awfully fake in almost every scene. Looking at the credits in the end, you notice that this film was made in 2010. That’s not shocking to find out.
The movie meanders on as Zach (Kip Pardue), a hotshot musician, enters the picture. You know from the very beginning that Zach is right for Dale. But since we have to pad the screen time, obstacles are placed in their way. Dale is afraid to enter into a relationship fearing that she might get hurt. Meanwhile Zach is practically throwing himself at her. This is where Will throws in a love triangle with Hallie pursuing him. It is just ridiculous to watch and uncomfortable to sit through. Hallie acts like a stalker and Zach is pushing her away. There’s a big blowup between Hallie and Dale about Zach that makes no sense. Since this is supposed to be a romantic comedy, where are the laughs? There are none. I think I got my biggest chuckle when Dale is walking with Seven since the two actors are a foot apart in height. It looks like Frankenstein towering over the townspeople. Will also throws in a few music montages and a voice-over by Dale that add nothing but exasperation.
SLIGHTLY SINGLE IN LA is a complete misfire that is not funny, romantic or entertaining.
SLIGHTLY SINGLE IN LA BLU-RAY REVIEW
Video: Nothing remarkable either way about the video transfer.
Audio: Here’s another Blu-ray where I had issues with the sound. There’s a problem when I have to turn the volume all the way up to hear what the characters are saying.
Meet the Director Christie Will (13:33): The director discusses the origins of the film and casting choices.
Previews
Trailer
