Blind Dating (2006) Movie Review, Trailer, Film Still and Poster

USA 2005
Director: James Keach
Cast: Chris Pine, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Anjali Jay, Jane Seymour, Frank Gerrish, Dee Macaluso
Rating: PG-13
Release Date: 28 July 2006
Running Time: 1 hour 35 minutes 13 seconds

The Movie Review

Blind Dating film still 1


BLIND DATING
Storyline:
Cast:
Ending:
Overall:

There is always something exciting and teasing about blind dating? Have you ever been in one? I have, and although it didn't go very well, and I was simply disappointed of the result, still the excitement of waiting to see your date was an unforgettable feeling. Blind Dating would make you feel like that. Exactly like that. Paying the ticket and bringing your spouse or even your blind date to see this film with high expectations, but alas! It's not as good as you might think. And if by looking at its poster, you think it would be another brainless fun of sex-crazed teen flick ala American Pie (some of the grunting in the movie theater assured me of that), you're wrong. This is why I still wonder why do the poster looks like that, it feels like a false advertising even though all the girls on the poster do appear in the movie.

Let's just dissect this movie to give you a better perspective.

The aptly named Blind Dating is actually about a Blind Man named Danny Valdessecchi (Chris Pine of Just My Luck) who tries to get a good girl by going on a blind date mostly being set up by his loving but extremely carefree brother Larry (Eddie Kay Thomas from American Pie). Danny's family is a loving one and very protective of Danny which kinda makes him feel uncomfortable, since Danny even brave enough to often walks around without his cane. Suddenly Larry realizes that his 2-years-younger-brother Danny is still a virgin. Larry, who is presumably an expert womanizer, tries to set Danny up with hot dates. Date after date, Danny always repents it, and not until the advent of Leeza (Anjali Jay) does Danny starts to "see" weird joyful sparks in his heart. He's in love. And even though Leeza seems to have feeling too for Danny, but she has to deal first with family's rules which frowned upon cross culture marriage. Everything seems chaotic for Danny, moreover, Danny and his family is actually trying to get Danny's eyesight back, and he also has to deal with bigger problem that could endanger his life.

An indescribable movie, continuously mix the story between tragedy and comedy. Blind Dating doesn't give you enough time to enjoy the scene, either the depth of the drama or the joy of the comedy. Every time your feeling starts to enjoy it, then the story just yanks you.

Certainly it doesn't end up like some sort of excellent tragicomic flick, it just passes through the alley of uncertainty, thus makes the audience somehow feel distant. And talking about distance, all the actors seem to be distant to one another, with the exception of Eddie Kay Thomas, Chris Pine and Dee Macaluso (as Danny's mom). Those three have chemistry with each other. But for the rest, there is absolutely zilch chemistry among them. And the script is anything but a big help, sometimes it's just rude and sometimes it's sweet, with both part falls to the extremity (for this type of genre). And although Anjali Jay gives a good acting, she doesn't connect to Chris, it's hard to believe that they even friends. The only acclaim only goes to Chris Pine who could perform a blind man very well and his sidekick Eddie Kay who serves as comic relief. Whew... Blind Dating does need a higher dose of comic relief.

Some positive points do exist. Some scenes are hilarious such as when Danny, Larry and their cool father ride a train. And a scene that is really and utterly touching when Danny tries his medical equipment for the very first time in front of his family. But like I said before, it somehow feels like those scenes are distant and belong to another whole movie.

I always feel sympathetic for a blind man. And I happen to reside closely to one of the Blind Men foundations in my city, it just breaks my heart to see them trying to cope with everyday life's matters. There are many heartbreaking groups of people in the society, but even they still could enjoy the joy of sight, but a blind man can't. On the other hand, Blind Dating is a movie for you to aware of, it's not that romantic and it doesn't know how to constantly make you amused. But if by watching Blind Dating, the producers or whoever is behind it, are making a contribution to the Blind Men community, you might consider watching this com-rom-wannabe flick, otherwise skip it for your own health. Besides, making a contribution to the aforementioned community could be done in various ways.

All in all, watching this movie will give you a mixed emotion, and not in a good way. If you're buying the ticket hoping to watch an excellent comedy romantic movie, do please don't get your hopes too high.