The modern relationship has finally become what it was always meant to be – sex. We tend to deny it, or cover it up with flowers or expensive gifts, but it truly only exists today because of a fundamental attraction between two people. It is no longer an economic necessity, social requirement, religious ritual, or even a basis for children. Instead, two people date today only because they want and choose to. The reality is that no one, no woman or man, must be in a relationship for any reason except choice. Being alone, and not relying on someone else for emotional satisfaction, is something that has finally become socially acceptable.
-- The Untitled Work of Paul Shepard
The Untitled Work of Paul Shepard (pronounced, She-pard, not Shep-herd), instantly made it into my current top-five picks for CIFF 2010. In this mockumentary of sorts, Paul (Kris Holden-Ried) is documentary filmmaker searching for his next hit. When he receives a call from former lover Sadie (Christine Horne), he’s struck by sudden inspiration. The artistic Sadie is putting out a book of poems on love and would like Paul’s okay before going on tour. Before Paul has looked at, let alone read the book, he’s convincing his hapless producer Jack (Degrassi’s Joey Jeremiah, Pat Mastroianni) to join him as he explores the meaning of modern love.
By the time he’s arranging interviews and dragging his wannabe cousin into the project as cameraman, Paul comes to realize that Sadie’s latest book, Poems and Thoughts for the Man I Love to Hate, are not a study on modern love, but is also inspired by him.
Over the course of filming, Paul interviews four ex-girlfriends, including Sadie, Haley (Zoie Palmer), the actress-turned-Porn fluffer, Lisa (Tricia Braun), his high school sweetheart, and Samantha (Mary Krohner), the possible love of his life. Through the course of the raw footage compiled by Paul’s small team, the general thrust of the documentary begins to take a different shape. Instead of a study on modern love, Paul becomes the subject of his own work, examining why he seems incapable of making a relationship work.
Holden-Ried is witty and charming in this quirky twist on a love story. His portrayal of the love-challenged filmmaker is genuine and endearing, while the remaining cast play their respective characters to a ‘T’. Don’t miss the Hump Night showing of The Untitled Work of Paul Shepard at the Globe Theatre, Wednesday, September 29th at 9:30pm.
By the time he’s arranging interviews and dragging his wannabe cousin into the project as cameraman, Paul comes to realize that Sadie’s latest book, Poems and Thoughts for the Man I Love to Hate, are not a study on modern love, but is also inspired by him.
Over the course of filming, Paul interviews four ex-girlfriends, including Sadie, Haley (Zoie Palmer), the actress-turned-Porn fluffer, Lisa (Tricia Braun), his high school sweetheart, and Samantha (Mary Krohner), the possible love of his life. Through the course of the raw footage compiled by Paul’s small team, the general thrust of the documentary begins to take a different shape. Instead of a study on modern love, Paul becomes the subject of his own work, examining why he seems incapable of making a relationship work.
Holden-Ried is witty and charming in this quirky twist on a love story. His portrayal of the love-challenged filmmaker is genuine and endearing, while the remaining cast play their respective characters to a ‘T’. Don’t miss the Hump Night showing of The Untitled Work of Paul Shepard at the Globe Theatre, Wednesday, September 29th at 9:30pm.
