Yes, it's low budget. But you go in knowing that. I've tried dating sites but only once downloaded the associated app and felt like I was being harassed. Way too frequent messages; everyone wants to meet instantly; they quickly feel like stalkers when they either can't take no for an answer or think they have some claim over you. One thing is for sure: No dating app should allow a person to actually see the location of another. In this film, however, Anna finds out a guy is stalking her that could have ended much worse if she had gone on obliviously thinking he was benign.
The story is well-meaning but not presented in the most engaging way. They kill the father in the first scene to try and set up a broken, dysfunctional family dynamic but they don't really pull this off very well. The film tries too hard to point fingers at every male character and goes out of its way to dole out lines to dismiss Anna's concerns. This film is not on the artistic high-level that allows the actors to convey the real emotions, fears, and perceptions. As it stands, though, it's a watchable modern tale, sort of a Kate and Ashly meet Criminal Minds ambition. And if I could just mention, Anna's hair is a split-end nightmare the whole film until the very last segment. Was that intended to make her seem happier now or was that just a great change from a bad hair stylist to a professional one? I recognize some of these actors from mostly bit parts in tv shows. Arthur Napiontek (Jake) is the only really hot guy in the film.
And for those who don't already know: You should never give identifying details on a dating app (family name, location, school, business) until you have talked on the phone and decide to meet. Then start with small talk. If a guy goes right to the "So where do you work, what school, who was your last boyfriend, or what kind of car do you drive" those are too personal for a stranger to know about you and are clear signs they want to know your monetary value instead of getting to know you.
I found it annoying that the film shows these adult women constantly obeying the ping of their phone. When I was in college, we turned off our devices while in class. There was no tolerance of seeing someone look at their phone during a lecture and a serious college student wouldn't stop every 2 minutes to see whose pinging them during homework.
So, what is the moral? I'm stumped. Perhaps someone is tired of hearing all the criticism of dating apps and wanted to do a film where it turns out to be a hero, of sorts. Or maybe the film is saying that someone who appears needlessly paranoid might be experiencing real danger. I think it's definitely exposing the immaturity and peril of using these apps with a careless attitude. I'm giving it a 6 but probably more like a 5.5.
The story is well-meaning but not presented in the most engaging way. They kill the father in the first scene to try and set up a broken, dysfunctional family dynamic but they don't really pull this off very well. The film tries too hard to point fingers at every male character and goes out of its way to dole out lines to dismiss Anna's concerns. This film is not on the artistic high-level that allows the actors to convey the real emotions, fears, and perceptions. As it stands, though, it's a watchable modern tale, sort of a Kate and Ashly meet Criminal Minds ambition. And if I could just mention, Anna's hair is a split-end nightmare the whole film until the very last segment. Was that intended to make her seem happier now or was that just a great change from a bad hair stylist to a professional one? I recognize some of these actors from mostly bit parts in tv shows. Arthur Napiontek (Jake) is the only really hot guy in the film.
And for those who don't already know: You should never give identifying details on a dating app (family name, location, school, business) until you have talked on the phone and decide to meet. Then start with small talk. If a guy goes right to the "So where do you work, what school, who was your last boyfriend, or what kind of car do you drive" those are too personal for a stranger to know about you and are clear signs they want to know your monetary value instead of getting to know you.
I found it annoying that the film shows these adult women constantly obeying the ping of their phone. When I was in college, we turned off our devices while in class. There was no tolerance of seeing someone look at their phone during a lecture and a serious college student wouldn't stop every 2 minutes to see whose pinging them during homework.
So, what is the moral? I'm stumped. Perhaps someone is tired of hearing all the criticism of dating apps and wanted to do a film where it turns out to be a hero, of sorts. Or maybe the film is saying that someone who appears needlessly paranoid might be experiencing real danger. I think it's definitely exposing the immaturity and peril of using these apps with a careless attitude. I'm giving it a 6 but probably more like a 5.5.