LOCAL EXCLUSIVE: Clickin' for Love highlights the ups and downs of online dating
* June 16th, 2010 11:55 am PT
Over the last few decades, technology has changed how we communicate in ways we never could have imagined. Many speculate that new technological developments have made us "socially illiterate", creating a society of shy, reserved hermits. The ringleader of this anti-social revolution has become the internet, with its instant messaging and Facebook posts becoming uber popular methods to contact others. But this stigma may only be true for some, as a recent documentary - directed by Orange County local Pablo Pappano - has colorfully illustrated. In his film Clickin' for Love, he delves into the lives of a diverse group of individuals with unique stories of love, loss, and confusion.
The film begins with some startling facts about online dating. Apart from being a $950 million industry, it appears to be more popular than previously thought. It is not just for the desperate and aging. As a matter of fact, the most popular age range is for professionals in their 30's and 40's. This couldn't be more true as the majority of Pappano's interviewees. While some of them provide good info to back up the stats, a handful provide the real meat of the documentary with their humorous, and sometimes bizarre, experiences.
Twelve individuals shared their stories and each provided a different facet of the online dating world. Rain Fingerhut and a woman known only as Colleen are your typical twenty-somethings looking for a hot date. They share stories of ambiguously gay men and almost finding their one, true love. Andy Hone and Armando "Mando" Garza are busy professionals in their thirties with little time to be out and about socializing in bars. They would rather find individuals with similar interests, and a bar just won't cut it. Then you have Judy Garland (no, not THE Judy Garland) and Audrey Quinn, two genuine women looking for genuine affection. Lastly, there's Marty Karns whose in it to win it. While looking for the next Mrs. Karns, he takes things casually and has numerous wild romps with any women that are interested. While some of these folks may seem typical, there are interesting characteristics to note: Mando is deaf, Judy is over 60, and Andy is of Asian ancestry. Anyone in America watching this documentary can relate.
Perhaps the most touching tale of the film is Judy's success at finding true love online. It is a bittersweet tale that highlights one of the most pressing issues for those of the aging online dating population: death. With courage she tells her story of a long distance love and being the first to suspect that her online honey has passed. From California, she discovers that her boyfriend has died, ironically, in front of his computer while vacationing in Las Vegas. Garland recounts the tale while holding back tears and holding on to the beautiful memories of her lost love.
Not every story ends in sadness as the adventurous Marty Karns will tell. He immediately breaks the stereotype that online daters are quiet and unfriendly. He is a seasoned conversationalist and uses the internet only as a means of meeting people that are into what he's into. He's looking for everything: friendship, dating, sex, marriage, relationships, threesomes, foursomes, five-- well, you get it. Marty proves to be a true highlight of the film as he eloquently tells of his varied experiences with women. He prides himself on being honest (something not commonly found online, according to statistics) and has never met anyone under false pretenses. He is not a player, but a dedicated father to his three children. Karns alone could have made for a very fascinating documentary.
To recount the trials and tribulations of all twelve interviewees would take away from the true focus of this film. That may be the primary criticism viewers have when they watch the picture. Of course, our favorite players are given sufficient screen time to keep our eyes (and ears) open but, at times, it feels as if we got lost by one too many faces. The film could have done without several of the interviewees whose names elude me because they left that much of an impression. Similarly, Jennifer Barber, a sex educator, could have greatly benefited the film throughout, although she disappears halfway in and reappears briefly near the end. Additionally, the awkward encounter between online daters Ali and Kate could have used a little suspense if it was cut into shorter pieces instead of long, drawn out clips.
Still, the film provides an eye-opening, jaw dropping tour of the online dating scene. It shatters stereotypes and demonstrates that there are real people online. It gives a living, breathing face to the millions of profiles that were once assumed to be desperate singles with major personality flaws. The film also gives hope to those currently looking for their soul mate. Both Marty and Andy have found someone and continue to have faith in the online dating scene. As for the rest, well, they're still Clickin' for Love.
http://www.examiner.com/movie-in-los-angeles/local-exclusive-clickin-for-love-highlights-the-ups-and-downs-of-online-dating
