Are You Ready for Love? (2006) User Reviews (5)

Refreshing, enjoyable indie rom com

[scriptpitch · 10/10 · 3 July 2006]

There is a fun ensemble cast in this film, although Lucy Punch stands out as a talent to watch, being both funny, quirky, and empathetic as the woman who craves love as she goes on lots of dating events in London.

The American leads - Leigh Zimmerman and Michael Brandon - are a good pairing, they have the sparky chemistry of the screwball comedy couples from the 1930s and 1940s. This is a colourful film that gets around London and has some great one-liners.

It was very refreshing to see a British film tackling the sort of genre that is American studio fare - and this film does so admirably in an "indie" kind of way. I really liked the idea of a cameraman character being unseen for most of the film but playing a crucial role in the outcome of the story. This film is uplifting, and has good tempo, and it's pretty authentic to the type of dating events going on in London at the moment - more about money than true love. My male friend, however, thought the Ed Byrne nob gags were the best bit!

Gentle comedy about dating, raises a smile

[lodgeyupe · 8/10 · 19 July 2006]

I didn't expect to like this film, but it really grew on me. It was a bit lightweight at the beginning, but once around the middle where things started to go wrong it was entertaining. I would recommend it to others - especially to watch with the girlfriend.

I guess it's more of a chick flick really - though I certainly heard lots of blokes laughing in the audience at the Irish comedian Ed Byrne's bawdy character.

The cinema at the premiere was packed, and people around me seemed to be laughing through most of it, so it was an amusing viewing. We came out smiling - even though it all turned out predictably fine for the main characters, it was still quite uplifting. Not bad at all for a low-budget Brit chick flick.

Excellent summers fun

[faheemza2 · 9/10 · 3 July 2006]

This has been on at Cannes book. For their publicity they run a series of dating parties. At which the hero and the heroine meet and take an instant dislike to each other, but their paths keep crossing...and you can get the rest of the picture. Helen Grace has written a witty and very funny script. There's plenty of fresh ideas in this and its as sparkling as champagne on a summers day. Michael Brandon, who is best known for 'Demsey and Makepeace' makes a welcome return as the tricks dating guru accompanied by the glamorous Leigh Zimmermann who has been in West End musicals for a few years. Together they are the center of the films plots and intrigues and have a great on screen chemistry as they manipulate their dating hopefuls to push together a relationship so they can sell more books. Another thing I enjoyed about this firm was Ed Byrne's romantic hero. He's a stand-up comic and produces the right kind of panic, frustration and desperation of someone who is flailing in love with someone who doesn't care for him or being repeatedly turned down. This will sell more tickets when people realize he is the voice of the Big Brother adverts.

A real surprise was the seeing the stage actor Stephen Armourae in this. He's usually cast as a Samurai General, terrorist, Titus Andronicus or someone else who kills people. But he's also in another romantic comedy playing an art critic. Maybe its his lines here that are the reason: he's a parapsychologist and physicist as well which fits with them. He appears in one scene with the glamor model Jodie Marsh in her first feature. Wonder what they would have to talk about. Maybe she shares his interest in art, design and journalism. He works in those fields too. Its a nice ironic twist, the idea that Jodie Marsh would have to attend a dating agency. Lucy Punch plays Melanie the romantic heroine. she has been applauded for previous comedy roles and her she takes on the More challenging cold, aloof character that simultaneously has to be comic and sympathetic and does it well. The friction between her and Ed Byrnes is the story around which the film revolves. The film glides along like a modern comedy though there are some touches from the 1970s in the family and the closing scenes of th film that add to its charm. This is a a perfect film for a summers day.

YES! We ARE Ready for Love!

[serendipity7571 · 10/10 · 18 July 2006]

Wow - I just watched this film at the Empire Leicester Square premier, and it's so funny! It's all about three British characters on a quest to find love through dating events in London, guided by two super-fake American love doctors. We were laughing in every scene, and it was great that as an ensemble piece the story switched from character to character and dating event to dating event, maintaining the interest and momentum. I sincerely hope that this film will go the multiplex cinemas, as my gal pals would love to see it. Why aren't there more films like this being made, instead of the usual American J-Lo dross?! Some fantastically quotable psycho-babble from the American lead characters on dating: "once you can fake sincerity, you can achieve anything!". Ha!

True to the heart

[gradjean · 8/10 · 3 December 2006]

This film was amazing and true to the heart. The directing and acting was brilliant, and I would have loved to have seen more of Tyson the dog, who was brilliant and must have been really hard to work with. So well done crew,-- director, producer and all the cast and crew for a really good film. And especially the cute dog! I loved the scene at the end where the dog was dancing in the music studio! All the actors were really convincing in their roles, and seemed to enjoy the parts they were playing. Andy Nyman was very good as Barry, the Jewish man, who couldn't seem to find his perfect woman. I hope this film goes to the big screen soon and I can enjoy seeing it all once again.