FRIENDS DON'T LET FRIENDS DATE FRIENDS is one of my favorite films made by an independent WNY filmmaker
FDLFDF is the first feature written and directed by Rhonda Parker, with husband Mark Parker as director of photography and editor. The film is delightful, has strong performances from the three leads (Adam S. Dixson, Erin Stamp, and especially Rhonda's cinematic alter-ego, Amelia Favata) and a solid ensemble cast supporting them. But, most importantly, the film is personal, wearing its John Hughes inspirations unabashedly on its sleeve, but not in a derivative way. Rhonda tells her story in her own fashion, citing Hughes' past films as part homage and part affectionate template to carve out her own storytelling path. Okay, some of the jokes are corny, and a scene or two perhaps could have been shot more effectively (a sign of the low-budget strain on a tiny crew wearing multiple hats simultaneously). But Rhonda's empathy for the characters is genuine, and the ending is affectingly told, managing to be both sentimental, yet not saccharine, and cautiously optimistic.