Born Romantic

A cheeky comedy about love's labor being well beyond lost, Born Romantic stutters out of the gate and never quite recovers. Perhaps it's the gaggle of local quips, jokes based on British television personalities, for instance, or the cameo-like nature of its ever-revolving cast, but director David Kane can't seem to sit still long enough to artfully set up his punch lines--anathema to a feature-length comedy. Set mostly in a London salsa club, the film trails behind a series of lonely thirtysomething singles as they search out one-night stands in the hopes of stumbling upon something more meaningful, namely love. As they shuttle to and fro in late-night minicabs, we're afforded insight into their shortcomings, past disappointments, shagging abilities, and ostensible charms, the cab serving as both confession booth and makeshift bedroom. Featuring a cast of recognizably talented faces, including Jimi Mistry (East Is East) and Olivia Williams (Rushmore), Born Romantic unfortunately never manages to shake its initial impression of being an inflated sitcom better pared down for television. --Fionn Meade