Love Conquers Paul (2009) User Reviews (4)

A Solid Dramatic Comedy

[jlbmediaproductions · 6/10 · 20 August 2009]

I saw Love Conquers Paul at the Dances With Films festival in Hollywood, California. It is really the perfect type of indie film because it contains subject matter that would not fly in mainstream film-making, yet is accessible to general audiences and will not alienate mainstream fans. It is, rather, a good film for people who want to explore outside of the mainstream while avoiding the pretentious, overwrought films that are neither intelligent nor engaging. The performance by Brendan Bradley as Paul is excellent. His task was not easy, considering he has to make audiences like a character who essentially is a bit creepy, a stalker at heart, yet harmless. It's a fine line and a risky endeavor from writer-director Colin Bannon, but because of a great performance from Bradley and solid writing from Bannon, the character works and is sympathetic, rather than flat-out creepy.

Love Conquers Paul has a very interesting tone because it really is not a typical romantic comedy. It has its funny moments, but it also has quite a few serious dramatic moments that are not funny whatsoever. It is a bit conflicted at times, as for whether it wants to be a comedy or a drama. Ultimately, I think that works in a film not trying to be a mainstream endeavor, because the question should be whether the film is enjoyable and well done, not whether it fits into a nice, neat category. The answer is yes, it is enjoyable, and it is well directed and made professionally.

I have to be fair in my review and mention what I wish was better, not because Love Conquers Paul is not worthwhile and a very solid indie film; it is unquestionably above most of the true indie work I have seen, with budgets not in the millions of dollars. I felt the cinematography was inconsistent. Several shots were brilliant, notably a few of the wonderful location that the filmmakers found for Paul's apartment, and a particular shot of Paul in a bar with flames behind him that looks excellent. Other shots appeared a bit stale. Perhaps too little movement, either in front of the camera or behind it, or perhaps it was the production design at fault. I felt the weakest element was the production design, which was just too minimalist for my tastes. Paul's apartment was too empty. Even if we are to believe that is just his character, I didn't feel it was consistent whatsoever with his character and wouldn't buy that argument. He does, after all, collect videos of people he stalks, and he collects other trinkets that he cares a lot about that become part of the plot. So why the scarce production design in his place? It took away from the feeling of watching the story and put me in the mode of thinking, "Oh, this is a low budget indie film, so they probably didn't have the money." That being said, I still feel the filmmakers did a lot with the budget they had and that ultimately a good film is more about story and acting than anything. The acting throughout was excellent and Bannon really took a chance on the feature by making something unique, something different from everything else that is out there, which I appreciate. Indie film should be about exploring different characters and new situations, rather than trying to be the same as major Hollywood features, a competition that indie filmmakers cannot win. I recommend Love Conquers Paul and believe that both Bradley and Bannon have bright futures.

Great Indie Film

[StewieGriffen1 · 8/10 · 21 August 2009]

I thought this movie was a nice little gift, worth opening. Although I love blockbuster, Hollywwood films as much as the next guy, this is really the kind of cinema we should all be encouraging more. A small, independent film, no doubt made on a tight budget, which gives lesser known actors the chance to shine in roles that will, ultimately, end up helping to define the kind of artists they will one day become. You can see how much everyone involved in this project really wanted to deliver a quality piece--they care about the material. This is the second film I've seen with Brendan Bradley, and I'm becoming a real admirer of his. He's got that insecure, somewhat lonely, disenfranchised character role down pat. He even manages to be creepy and likable at the same time here--you just can't help yourself. He has these big, wandering eyes and you find yourself asking what his character is thinking and what's going on in there. I'd like to see him tackle a more emotional role next, with lots of dialogue and physical movement next. You really root for him here as you did in "Redwoods," for example. You want him to find true love, even if he is a little odd. I encourage everyone to check this film out, if no other reason than to experience the chemistry between Bradley and Russell Garofalo, who is absolutely hilarious in his role as smitten best friend, Ray. Garofalo does his best to try and steal every scene in which he appears, and comes pretty close to it. You could tell some of their scenes were ad libbed and the actors were enjoying bouncing some ideas off each other. In short, you should find out if Love Conquers Paul, or the other way around. It's worth a closer look.

Surprise!

[rhodimer · 9/10 · 26 August 2009]

I will choose to go to a smaller indie film over a big popcorn flick any day. And sometimes I am let down by the lack of acting prowess that tries to support a deep script... but in this case... not the case. In fact when I read the synopsis I was a bit doubtful about the premise. It just seemed like something I'd already seen in the past that didn't work. In this case I think that Brendan Bradley's performance took a character that would seem unlikable, and unbelievable, and made it work. Like the 40 year old virgin, who would believe that that character would even exist, not to mention be someone you would find endearing. It's all about the acting, and this movie had that going on.

Loving Paul

[m_imdb-657 · 9/10 · 21 August 2009]

I didn't know much about Love Conquers Paul when I went to see it except that it was an independent film. Since independent films can be either a hit or miss, I was a little wary. But wow - what a hit! It's refreshing to see a film with an original take on "the search for love." Because the main character, Paul, deep in his comical identity crisis, finds safety hiding behind his video camera as he -- wait for it -- follows and videotapes women he's never met, he learns more about women and what they really want. Sure, he could just ask one of them out on a date, but this is Paul we're talking about here, which leads me to the following.

On the surface, the danger of delving into the "creep factor" of videotaping ANYONE who's unaware of being videotaped should be very high. However, Colin Bannon (writer/director) interweaves a consistent sweetness without becoming too cliché throughout the story. Rather, you not only find yourself empathizing with Paul, but falling in love with him yourself. Peter Reigert as Mr. Feigenbaum turns in a solid performance as the paternal boss of Paul, consistently anchoring Paul to the real world as he gallivants through his own fantasies.

Throughout the film, Bannon brings out consistent, beautiful, heartfelt and REAL performances from his cast. Particularly is true of Brendan Bradley, who offers a sense of subtle (and goofy at times) innocence to the role of Paul in such a natural way that you find yourself riveted whenever he's on screen. Do yourself a favor - go fall in love with Love Conquers Paul.