A New Leash on Love

Your film last year was a highlight of the competition for me so I couldn’t wait to see what you did this time! And wow - I loved it again! Such amazing technical work but you also really delivered with the hilarious script and premise. I couldn’t wait to see what the next ridiculous turn would be. I loved the ending and how his friend was the ultimate wingwoman. The dedication to the cause was so impressive haha. A brilliant opener to heat two! :)

If you've ever been on a dating app you'll know that doggos are incredibly popular and an integral part of people's identity who are looking to find a connection, so when a pooch-less hopeless romantic takes advantage of somebody else's best furry friend to flirt in the park with a dog loving jogger it leads to a comedic spiral of cover up for the non existent good boy.

Now where the film really shone was when the actual cover up plan was put into action. How much can a dog cost, right? But the film portrayed well not just the importance of connections on a romantic level but friendship as well, giving an extremely eager to help flatmate a right royal chance to shine, and they sure did, tearing up the screen with enthusiasm in every shot they were in. Contrasted with cellphone addiction and allergies being a couple of the defining characteristics of our lead protagonist, they were a very strong foil.

Worms eye view shot here really fantastic I must point out, even if gross.

Technically sound, sound in particular very clean the film looked good even with a couple of lengthy sit or stand around and talk sections.

So, why are my arbitrary ratings only good and not at the great/high end? Part of it is early days in this year's comp but we're at 2/2 on comedy of errors working as a framework to getting in the way of finding love, ala a standard romcom as per the Shakespeare tip given by the organisers... I did appreciate that this was built on one big error, and then the strong script creating branching and layers, but just not elevated nor subverted enough to take that extra step, personally.

Doggo Count = 2 (I think)

Story: 3.5
Technical: 3.5/5
Elements: 3.5/5
Overall: 3.5/5