20 Dates Movie Review

Documentary... mockumentary... it's hard to tell exactly what 20 Dates is, but I know one thing: It's hysterical. Sure, Myles Berkowitz is the most narcissistic filmmaker to come along since Woody Allen, but like the Woodman, he gets away with it in spades. The story follows Myles' quest to date 20 women and see if he can manage to fall in love, Hollywood-style. Most of the dates are disasters, and the quarreling with his producer Elie over the increasingly tragic turn of events takes on a dimension worthy of Don Quixote. As it happens, Myles meets Elisabeth midway through the film and genuinely falls for her... only she doesn't approve of him going out on the rest of the dates. Meanwhile, Elie keeps pushing Myles to go out with Tia Carrere, of all people, and by the time she appears on film, you are truly expecting it.

20 Dates isn't funny because its subject matter is new or special. It's funny because Myles is just plain hysterical when he wants to be. His commentary on Los Angeles, the movies, and the inability of many of us to find love is dead-on. And on a reported $60,000 budget, this is simply a great entertainment value.