Missed connections

Missed connections

Missed connections are the favoured method for lovelorn, hopeless romantics who believe in the fleeting encounters of chance in public. I can confirm this from Un experience, as I diligently checked missed connections daily, despite faithfully sticking to my regular routines. I can't speak to their success rate. Still, given their presence on Craigslist, the go-to online platform for job searches and finding inexpensive furniture for twenty-somethings, they seem ripe for quirky, indie films featuring said twenty-somethings in search of something more profound than a cheap futon.

The appropriately titled film "Missed Connections," delves into the world of online love quests with a touch of catfishing. But does it do so in an engaging manner?

Lucy (played by Mickey Sumner) is preparing to leave the law firm she works for to start anew in London. In her words, love isn't a matter of luck but a strategy, as she attempts to find a man who meets her standards across the pond. That doesn't bode well for Josh (Jon Abrahams), an IT professional who has harboured a crush on Lucy for years. On her final day at the firm, Lucy encounters a mysterious Englishman (Jamie Belman) who seems to fit her ideal type. Still, unfortunately, they don't exchange contact information.

Lucy's friend resorts to the internet to fulfil her wishes, which Josh and his IT friends stumble upon.

The trio then devises a plan to craft various missed connections to entice Lucy and allow Josh to woo her. If this sounds as unsettling and unfortunate as it appears, that's because it is. Don't we all do some crazy things in the name of love?

The overall premise is undeniably quirky, albeit exceedingly creepy. Then again, aren't most comedies centred around outrageous scenarios? "Missed Connections" follows a familiar rom-com formula of developing a relationship between a boy and a girl. However, it deviates from it by allowing the pair to "fall in love" before the film concludes. However, this is employed to set up a new source of conflict for the third act. While not particularly groundbreaking, it does add a nice touch.

The problem with "Missed Connections" is that it lacks humour. There are truly awkward scenes between Abrahams and Sumner where the film attempts to force laughter, but it falls flat. Could it be an issue with the chemistry between the actors? Perhaps. I appreciated Abrahams's energy and would like to see more of him in the future. Sumner recently appeared in "Frances Ha" and will be portraying Patti Smith in the upcoming film "CBGB."

"Missed Connections" misses the most crucial aspect of a film: connecting with its audience. Despite some tender moments between Josh and his IT comrades, the film feels hollow and lifeless. That is one missed connection you won't mind letting slip away.